BEACH -- More than 100 of Brittane Henderson's friends shared remembrances, swapped stories and shed tears during a memorial service Sunday evening, a few days after the 17-year-old was killed during a car accident on State Road A1A in front of Patrick Air Force Base.



The numbers surprised Henderson's youth pastor, Jonathan Cronkhite who was forced to pull chairs from other rooms to accommodate the crowd at Trinity Presbyterian Church on South Patrick Drive.

"We expected maybe 20 people here tonight to be honest with you," Cronkhite said. "But thanks to Facebook and MySpace there are many more here tonight to reflect and remember Brittane and the life she lived."

Cronkhite was referring to the popular Internet social networking web sites.

Henderson was killed early Wednesday morning when a car she was riding in as a passenger lost control and crashed into a wall near the base. Four others in the car survived with various injuries. The girl moved from Brevard County to England a few years ago and was back here staying with friend Sierra McPhillips, a former classmate at Cocoa Beach High School.

Henderson's father and brother are both overseas. Her mother, Patricia, passed away in 2006.

"This summer has been one of the best," McPhillips said, struggling to speak through tears. "We were always doing something different and I know Brittane was having an awesome time. She had a great way of making an otherwise boring day at my house fun and enjoyable. It gave her comfort to know that she would someday see her mom again, and I find comfort now knowing they are together."

Framed photographs of Henderson rested on easels to left and right of the lectern. There were more photos in the back of the chapel highlighting her mission trips, retreats and love of animals.

Beverly Lampley, Henderson's Sunday school teacher in the seventh and eighth grades said the girl was an inspiration to all who knew her.

"I'm not sad for her," she said. "She's with her mother in a wonderful place. I'm just so thankful for the opportunity to know her and her family."