Usher's stepson Kile laid to rest three weeks after tragic jet ski accident
'Kile was the most fun, sweet and respectful boy': A mother's grief as mourners flock to funeral of Usher's stepson
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Tameka Foster is seen here leading mourners at the funeral of her 11-year-old son, whose life was tragically cut short following a jet ski accident on a Georgia lake.
Foster, the ex-wife of RnB star Usher, was dressed in full black and wore sunglasses as she exited the Atlanta church today, flanked by family and friends.
Kile's white coffin was mounted with flowers as the pallbearer carried the casket out of the Wieuca Road Baptist Church. It is not clear whether Usher was in attendance.
Heartbroken: Tameka Raymond leaves the Atlanta church where the funeral was held for her 11-year-old son Kile Glover, the stepson of RnB star Usher, three weeks after he was critically injured in a jet ski accident
Procession: Kile's casket, flanked with flowers, is carried out of the church surrounded by family and friends
Grief-struck: Kile's father Ryan Glover looks devastated as he walks behind the casket, seen behind the pallbearers in a check shirt
Attendees at the funeral included Atlanta mayor Kaseem Reed, former Ambassador to the UN Andrew Young, Martin Luther King III and rapper Ludacris.
Kile died on Saturday in hospital after his family made the heartbreaking decision to switch off his life support machine when doctors said there was nothing that could be done to save him.
The youngster was critically injured on July 6 and declared brain dead after being struck in the head during a jet ski collision while riding an inner tube on Lake Lanier in Atlanta, Georgia.
Just hours before the ceremony, Kile's mother Tameka paid tribute to her late son on Twitter - and thanked people for their support.
Comforting: Tameka soothes three-year-old Naviyd Raymond, one of her two sons with Usher, as they leave the church and, right, Kile's father Ryan
A fitting send off: Kile's casket was carried in a horse-drawn carriage down the streets of Atlanta
'I appreciate the hundreds, perhaps thousands of prayers. I'm so grateful to you guys,' she wrote, adding: 'Kile was the most fun, creative, sweet, respectful boy.'
Tragic: Kile with mother Tameka Foster and stepdad Usher in 2008
Tameka also asked people to make donations to a fund she has set up in her Kile's memory - rather than send flowers.
She tweeted: 'Many have asked where to send flowers, but in Lieu of flowers. we ask that you make a contribution to the Kile Glover Fund @ Bank of America.
'Our goal to to increase water safety- thru implementing laws, policies & education. Kiles passing will not be in vain, we will see to this.'
Family friend Jeffrey Hubbard, 38, was driving the jet ski that struck Kile, who was with an unidentified 15-year-old girl at the time. Both children were airlifted to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.
According to authorities, Hubbard was riding a jet ski behind the pontoon and lost control, before colliding with Glover's tube.
Fondly remembered: The cover of the tribute booklet, emblazoned with the words 'A beautiful mind'
Tributes: Inside the colourful picture booklet showing Kile in a series of family shots
A sombre day: Family members are escorted to the the funeral service at the Wieuca Road Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia
Let the mourners come: The horse-drawn carriage arrives outside the church
The investigation into the incident is still underway. It was previously reported that Hubbard could face more serious charges in light of Kile's death.
Usher (real name: Usher Terry Raymond IV), 33, and Foster, who divorced in 2009 after two years of marriage, were in the throes of a bitter custody battle over their sons Usher Raymond V, four, and Naviyd, three, before Kile's accident.
But they are understood have put their differences aside in the wake of current events. Kile's father is Atlanta-based clothier Ryan Glover, Tameka's ex-husband.
Heaven has gained another angel: The ceremony is being held at the Wieuca Road Baptist Church
Sharing her thoughts: Tameka thanked people for their support in Twitter last night and asked people to make donations to the Kile Glover fund in lieu of flowers
Heartbroken: Tameka tweeted this picture of Kile with his younger brother last Friday
Willie A. Watkins funeral home in Atlanta confirmed it was handling funeral arrangements for the young boy last week.
In the wake of Kile's death, a string of celebrities took to Twitter to express their condolences.
Those included pop star Justin Bieber, who Tweeted: 'RIP Kile', and Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, who wrote: 'I am sending every prayer I got to Tameka, Ryan, Usher and their family'.
Devastated: Usher and his ex-wife Tameka pictured here in 2007, are understood have put their differences in the wake of the devastating accident
Hospital: Usher's son passed away at the Egelston Children's Hospital in Atlanta on Saturday
Showing support: Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons took to Twitter to express his condolences
Reaction from Atlanta's music world: Famous Atlanta DJ Frank Ski took to Twitter as soon as it was revealed that Kile had passed away
Reaching out: Justin Bieber who was discovered and mentored by Usher also showed his support on Twitter
Touching: Musician Eric Benet also tweeted a message to Usher and Tameka
Last week Kile's family asked for prayers as they keep a bedside vigil following the tragic accident.
Kile's family said in a statement to CNN: 'We know God's in control, and are leaning on our faith in Him and His word at this most difficult time.
'We firmly believe in the power of prayer and ask that you all continue to pray and lift Kile up, as it's the best way we can all support him now.'
Scene of tragedy: Kile was enjoying himself at Lake Lanier in Georgia when the accident happened
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