Mylee Billingham: Heartbroken mum clutches tragic child's doll as she is laid to rest
THE heartbroken mother of stabbed eight-year-old Mylee Billingham clutched a doll at the child’s funeral yesterday as hundreds of mourners paid their respects. Mylee died after being found with knife wounds on January 20.
Mylee's mother Tracey clutched her daughter's doll at the funeral
Her mother Tracey Taundry, 33, urged family and friends to wear “all things bright and beautiful just as she was” in her memory.
The carriage with the coffin was adorned with flowers and drawn by two white horses to the service at St James Church, Brownhills, Walsall.
Bunches of blue, purple and pink ribbons were tied to lampposts, road signs and trees around the church, which is next to the school where Mylee was a pupil.
Mourners, some dressed in purple, her favourite colour were given a slice of her first choice treat, chocolate Swiss roll.
A wreath from neighbours read “Princess of Brownhills”, another tribute said “Our Little Superstar”.
The Reverend Dave Bishop told of Mylee’s bubbly personality, how she lived life to the full and loved singing and dancing.
He said: “We may be sad, grieving, and at a loss but we must not forget that we are also here to remember and celebrate that she loved her life and that crammed so much into it.
“She loved the outdoors and would do all kinds of stunts on her scooter and bike, acquiring a chip in her tooth the process.”
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He added: “She had three very close friends and they would play together at each other’s homes and often stay for tea.
And how Mylee loved chocolate Swiss roll. “In keeping with this love, please feel free to take a slice as you leave the church afterwards.”
Mum Tracey last week described Mylee as “my angel, my true princess”.
Neighbours rallied to help raise nearly £4,000 for the funeral and decorated the high street with ribbons in her memory.
The coffin was pulled to the church by white horses and was adorned with flowers
Mylee's father Bill Billingham has been charged with her murder
Her father Bill Billingham, 54, from Brownhills has been charged with her murder and re-appears at Wolverhampton Crown Court next month.
He is brother of SAS hero Mark Billingham of Channel 4’s Who Dares Wins who was in the public gallery at an earlier hearing.