Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter laid to rest

[Honey]

With laughter and tears, Grammy-winning Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman and his family said goodbye Saturday to their 'cuddle bug,' daughter Maria Sue. The 5-year-old died three days earlier after being accidentally struck at their Franklin, Tenn., home by a reversing SUV driven by her brother.

In a two-hour memorial service at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville that drew more than 700 mourners, Maria was remembered for her love of drawing flowers, playing in the water, snuggling with her family – and doing dishes "buck naked." She "loved, loved, loved to be naked," laughed her mother, Mary Beth. Maria, the family's youngest, was one of three daughters adopted from China by the couple, who formed the charity Shaohannah's Hope (shaohannahshope.org) to help other families wanting to adopt.

The couple, along with their three older biological children and their two other adopted daughters, Shaohannah, 8, and Stevey Joy, 5, were all barefoot during the service as a mark of reverence to ground made holy, they said, by the loss of Maria. Standing in front of the tiny white coffin covered with pink flowers, they took turns holding the young girls in their arms and embracing the son whose car hit Maria. Tears streamed down the 17-year-old's face and he wore Maria's pink security blanket around his neck throughout the service. In a letter Shaohannah had written to God and her lost sister that her father read aloud, she asked for prayers for her brother. "He has been sobbing," she wrote.

The family raised their arms as they sang songs of worship and sought comfort in their faith. "We had talked [with Maria] about what it meant to be with Jesus," Chapman said. "I had no idea how soon it was going to be, but we know she is in His amazing house, playing in the water."

Steven Curtis Chapman's Daughter Laid to Rest : People.com

[Laurent]

I can't fathom. I hope this family finds some solace, especially the son who accidentally hit her.

R.I.P.

[tkdgirl]

Terrible, terrible tragedy. God bless this family in their time of grief.

[sweetness]

I feel so sorry for them. That poor boy.

[msdebagain]

how horrible.

[Life]

Sad R.I.P.

[SweetPea]

I read about this the other day. That boy must feel so bad.

[lisalucy69]

I feel so bad for the whole family. I cannot even imagine what they must be feeling. I hope their faith can help them through this terrible time.

[qwerty]

What a beautiful and uplifting tribute to their daughter. This clearly is a family very strong in their faith and love. I'm sorry they've had to endure this and that a child is now gone. Unfortunately, accidents happen.

[heart_leigh]

Aw, my heart goes out to them.

[CCkissesx]

Sounds like a very nice service, one that really matched their belief and needs.

Poor girl.

[t13nif]

Everytime i read about this i cry. My neice is adopted from China and i can't imagine losing her. And what a tragedy her brother was the one who hit her. I hope he can forgive himself.

[sara1089]

I just saw him in concert a few months ago and he talked so lovingly about all of his children - especially his adopted daughters. My prayers go out to them during this terrible time.

[SpookyGirl]

I feel so, so awful for the boy who struck her with the car. How terrible for him.

[Elisa]

It was tough watching the clip of her in this link:

Singer Steven Curtis Chapman's Daughter Dies in Tragic Accident : People.com

She was just too adorable for words. What a little ray of sunshine.

RIP Maria.