Zebulon community pays respects to crash victim
ZEBULON (WTVD) -- If there's any one thing 54-year-old Judy Claybourne had, it was an abundance of family and friends who cared deeply for her. She was well-known in the community as a woman with a kind heart who loved the Lord. Friday, Claybourne's viewing was held at Living the Life of Faith Church in Zebulon.
Dozens of people fought the heat to pay their respect and offer their condolences. Claybourne was killed when the vehicle she was in was hit by Erik Christian Hicks on US 64 on Memorial Day.
READ MORE: DRIVER CHARGED WITH TEXTING AND DRIVING IN DEADLY WRECK
"We have to depend on the Lord in circumstances like this. Because He said He wouldn't put more on us than we can bear," said Judy's cousin, Margaret Stancil-Perry. "Not that we think that this is a burden that He has put on us, but we need to look to Him ... because He'll take us through. I know He will."
Judy's husband, Darryl, has not been back to work since the accident but told ABC11 he is dealing with the loss of his wife as best as he can.
READ MORE: LOVED ONES GATHER TO FONDLY HONOR ZEBULON CRASH VICTIM
Their 16-year-old daughter, Ameerah Godwin-Claybourne, was released from the hospital this week. With a neck brace and noticeable limp, she too, made her way to the viewing Friday.
Many people who did not know Judy very well or at all stopped by the church to show their support to the family. Brenda Pryce was one of those people. She told ABC11 that she came to the viewing with her sister - who knew of Judy - because it was the right thing to do.
READ MORE: FAMILY OF ZEBULON WOMAN KILLED IN CRASH 'AT PEACE'
"I'll just leave it in the Lord's hands because He knows it all. He knows what's going on. And leave it in His hands," she said. "Things happen you don't know. Either one of us could leave here, you just don't know."
Judy's funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Richard Harris Funeral Home in Zebulon. The family is also planning for a funeral in the Philadelphia area at a later date.
As of Friday afternoon, there was still no word on any additional charges for Hicks, who has been charged with texting while driving.
WATCH: Candles and balloons helped remember a beloved Zebulon woman.
