Just one week before Shiloh Middle School opens its doors for the first day of school, members of the school community gathered to mourn the loss of one of their own — Jahceem Denis Xavier — and to offer support to his family.

Family, friends, classmates and faculty gathered in the expansive sanctuary of Voices of Faith Ministries in Stone Mountain Monday to celebrate Jahceem's life and share memories of the 13-year-old who died on July 28 of a suspected heart attack after football practice.

Hyosub Shin/hshin@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

A friend comforts Jahceem Xavier's mother, Michelle St. Cyr-Penn, during the burial service.

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Jahceem's Shiloh teammates from the Gwinnett Youth Football League settled in near the pulpit, their black and white jerseys filling multiple rows. A group of cheerleaders huddled near the aisles before the service began. Several family members wore wallet-sized photos of Jahceem, who would have entered eighth grade. One or two at a time, people approached the open casket to pay their final respects.

More than 250 people attended the service and — as requested by the family — many wore Jahceem's favorite color, red, in his memory.

The service was one of stories and memories — recollections shared by those whose lives had been touched by the middle school student known by family as "Eggy."

"Just from a handshake you could tell he was a good player," said eighth-grade coach Denorris James.

"He was more like a brother to me than anything," one friend said.

"He was a big teddy bear, who enjoyed basic "boy stuff," stated the program for the service.

But for some, the wounds were still too fresh.

"I didn't wear red for Jahceem," said Michael Xavier, Jahceem's father. "My blood alone runs for Jahceem. My tears are red."

The Gwinnett Youth Football League coaches offered a special jersey to Jahceem's stepfather, Wayne Penn, dedicating it to Jahceem and retiring the No. 1.

Bishop Gary Hawkins recounted Jahceem's last few weeks as time spent doing what the teen enjoyed—traveling. Jahceem recently returned from a 10-day trip to Grenada where he filled his days swimming at the pool and diving for starfish at the beach. A few weeks ago, Jahceem, who was born in Brooklyn, visited New York to see Michael Xavier, his father.

"Jahceem lived 13 years," said Hawkins, officiating minister at the funeral service, "but he lived a lifetime in 13 years."

A crowd of about 75 joined the police escorted motorcade to the burial at Gwinnett Memorial Park in Lawrenceville. After the ceremony, the cheerleaders filed past Jahceem's mother, Michelle St. Cyr-Penn, and other relatives, hugging them one by one before placing a carnation on Jahceem's casket.

When the crowd had dispersed, Michael Xavier stood with a few football coaches and watched as the cemetery workers lowered the black casket into the ground.

Earlier, during the service, Xavier had said it was tough on him when Jahceem left Brooklyn.

"I wanted to visit Jahceem in Atlanta," Xavier had told those gathered. "But not like this."