Sallie Void placed a single red rose on top of her son’s coffin Friday afternoon to the sound of “America the Beautiful.” U.S. Army Sgt. Demetrius Lamar Void’s brother, Tacobi, added another rose. And more symbols of love and affection from family members were placed on the coffin of the soldier affectionately known as “Meek Meek.”

Tears and sounds of grief mingled with the words, “O beautiful, for heroes proved,” at the Belleville Memorial Gardens Cemetery during the burial of a son, brother, nephew, boyfriend, soldier and hero.

“A young soldier has gone home to be with the Lord,” Minister JoAnne Owens said at the funeral, held at South Carolina State University’s Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. “We are going to praise him and we are going to give him a homegoing.”

The 20-year-old died Sept. 15 at the Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan from injuries sustained when a military vehicle struck him during physical training.

He was promoted from specialist to sergeant posthumously and, on Friday, was also given the Bronze Star and the Gold Order of Mercury for his service.

Friday was a time for family and friends to reflect on a life well-lived but tragically cut short.

Void’s uncle, the Rev. Keith Brian Void, said Demetrius was like a son.

“Meek Meek was one of a kind,” he said. “But all I ever called him was my boy.”

He reflected on the day Demetrius came back from the hospital as a baby.

“I tell you, Demetrius gave us a run for our money,” he said. “But when Demetrius was growing up, he was a good little boy. The love Demetrius had for me, I tell anybody, I don’t think anybody could top that. The love I have for my nieces and nephews, they know Uncle Keith.”

He explained how the family was surprised Void wanted to enter the military, but how they were eventually supportive because it is what “Meek Meek wanted to do.”

The funeral included scriptural citations about life everlasting, faith, hope and love.

“God never fails” and “God is taking us away and we shall see his face” were among the refrains sung by the Bowman Antioch Baptist Combined Choir.

The Rev. Tyrone Void, a family member, offered words of encouragement: “Today, let’s not remember the tears in our eyes but let’s try to remember the laughter that he put in our hearts. Demetrius, we love you, but God loves you more. Amen.”

Vernon Stephens, speaking on behalf of Bowman and surrounding communities, said Demetrius was a testament to dedication, love and sacrifice.

“We can stand proud and say that this young man truly, truly held his own,” Stephens said. “His own was to give back to his country, to give back to his community what we have tried to instill in all our young folks. We all feel proud of his contributions ... but especially this young man being true to his native land, true to America.”

Rodney Zimmerman, former principal of Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School where Void was a 2007 graduate, said Void was a model student and a gentleman.

“Mrs. Void, Demetrius was well-formed,” Zimmerman said, reflecting on how Demetrius used to make sure other students behaved during his time working in the school’s guidance office.

“He had a mission and you could see it in his life. He touched our lives and we were all blessed to know him. We love you, Demetrius,” he said.

Lt. Col. James BeNardo, battalion commander of the 57th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, said about a half-percent of U.S. citizens serve their country and Demetrius was “the best of the best.”

BeNardo said despite the difficult living conditions in Afghanistan, Demetrius always had a smile on his face and was a winner.

“He was always calm, cool and a professional,” BeNardo said. “Demetrius Void was a great trooper. He was one of the Army’s best.”

Through tears, Void’s girlfriend, Spc. Aspen Nicole Kukulka, shared her love.

“I know he is in a better place and I can only hope one day I will again see his smiling face,” Kukulka said. “He was loved by all his soldiers and all his coworkers. He will be missed.”

The service was conducted with complete military honors, including a 21-gun salute and “Taps.”

During the funeral, letters and condolences were read from U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn, Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer, state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, state Sen. John Matthews, state Sen. Brad Hutto and SCSU President Dr. George Cooper.

And in conclusion, New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Odell Simpson provided his own testament.

“He was a good soldier in the U.S. Army but now he is in the army of the Lord,” he said.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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