By Jean Tarbett Hardiman
The Herald-Dispatch

HUNTINGTON -- It started with "Think of Me," sung by his sister, Mary Beth Withers. It ended with the Huntington High School alma mater, sung by the Huntington High Chamber Choir. In between were prayers for him, his family and friends, along with stories about his jovial approach to life and testaments to his good friendship and knack for making people laugh.

The memory of Chris Withers, a Huntington High School graduate who died Sunday on his way back from a senior trip to Panama City, Fla., was in the music, the embraces, the words of faith and encouragement, and the tears Friday morning as hundreds gathered to bid him farewell. His smiling portrait was everywhere, beaming from the programs in their hands.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held for Withers at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Monsignor Lawrence Luciana as the celebrant. The church was spilling with 18-year-old Withers' family and friends, as well as community members whose lives he touched, and many, many classmates -- the young women in dresses with tissues in hand, the young men in their best suits.

As many in the congregation wept, Luciana reminded those gathered that, in the case of Withers, there was also reason for joy.

Today's families worry deeply, losing sleep at night, about giving their children all the things they need to achieve great things and be successful in life, Luciana said.

"This morning, thanks be to God -- this family was successful," he said. "They gave him discipline, great appreciation for life, happiness that exuded from him. And you gave him faith."

Raising a child in the Lord is true success, he said, and while others continue to strive, the Withers can rest in the fact that their son is with Jesus.

Though Luciana admitted he struggled to come up with the right words, not having a son himself, he said the best advice he could give to Withers' parents and those left behind is to pray for God's help.

"I would have to throw myself into the arms of God," the priest said. "I would have to throw myself at his feet and allow him to pick me up and console me. At times, I would probably fight him, curse him, and then I'd fall back into his arms.

"We're all in God's hands. Don't struggle out of it. We need him. Tomorrow, we need him more."

The congregation prayed for Withers' soul, as well as the health and well-being of Matt and Kevin Rowsey, Edward Paul and Bobby Gleason, who were all injured in the automobile accident in Alabama that claimed Withers' life. Gleason remains in critical condition, though he has been flown from Flowers Hospital in Alabama to St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington.

The crowd also prayed for the continued success and happiness of the Class of 2007.

Withers -- the son of Robert Kent Withers Sr. and Elizabeth Penick Withers, both of Huntington, and brother to Mary Beth and Robert Withers Jr. -- was a member of the HHS football and baseball teams, as well as the Chamber Choir and McGuffin's Maniacs. He served as president of the Young Republicans Club, received the West Virginia State Leadership Award for 2006, was a delegate to Mountaineer Boys State and was a member of both St. Joe and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic churches.

His friend Adam Van Horn spoke on behalf of himself and on behalf of Matt and Kevin Rowsey.

Van Horn told a story about he and his brother picking up Withers for school on the day before Thanksgiving break. Based on experience, they expected that when they blew the horn, Withers would either just be getting up, just be getting out of the shower, or "searching frantically for his deodorant that he would apply as he ran out to the car," Van Horn said. "Yet this day was different. Instead of a half-dressed Chris busting out the door ...he came out fully dressed in Pilgrim attire celebrating the holiday."

That included "cap, black doublet, baggy breeches, white stockings, buckled shoes and accompanied by a stuffed pet turkey named Bob," Van Horn said.

"If you had the privilege of attending Huntington High with Chris, you undoubtedly remember this getup and all the outrageous outfits he put together and the stunts he pulled just to get a laugh," Van Horn said. "However, it didn't matter what costume he was wearing -- be it green and gold kilt, becoming the Red Hat lady for a day, one of his hundreds of jerseys or just his everyday smile -- no matter the costume Chris was sporting, he made sure to bring a smile to all those around him. And the most impressive aspect of this gift was the fact that he gave this joy to all, unconditional to their background. This was a mark of his genuinely amicable character."

Van Horn also gave some remarks written by Matt Rowsey, who said Withers was the epitome of a friend.

"Every summer, Chris, Kevin and I would drive to Cincinnati with Chris' mom to a Reds game and go to King's Island for a weekend. I would really cherish those times spent with Chris," Matt Rowsey wrote. "Likewise, we traveled with each other on football and baseball trips. Chris was always the person keeping our heads up even in the event of a loss. That's just the person he was. He gave his friends, family and teammates inspiration in times of doubt. He held our spirits high and helped us become the people we are today."

Kevin Rowsey said in his remarks, read by Van Horn, that Withers' most distinguishing characteristic was his ability to entertain, and that he was an inspiration to everyone to be who they really are.

"He was loved by many, and we'll never forget those good times he gave us," Kevin Rowsey wrote. "...However, we all know he's in a better place, and we'll see him again one day being just as goofy as he always was."

Withers was buried in Woodmere Memorial Park.