Funeral of Noah Bush amid ongoing death investigation

JESUP, Georgia (WSAV) – An 8-year-old Jesup boy was remembered Saturday after his death sparked public outcry.

Police initially believed Noah Bush died by drowning, but some people in the community do not believe this was the case.

Currently, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate and Noah’s family and friends are mourning the loss of someone so close to them.

“Noah and Kenneth and my boy. I hope you can hear me when I say I want to wake up to your smile and your laughter,” said Noah’s sister Alayzia McClinton. “I want to wake up with you. I want to catch you eating the most random things at all hours of the night. I want to see you sneak into the kitchen to get an extra snack and pretend I don’t see you. I want to see your dance moves. I want to see you walk through the door, Kenneth, I want to see you.”

Those who knew the little boy described all the ways he touched those around him during his short life.

“He brought us laughter and joy. He had the ability to make everyone feel better. If someone was having a bad day at school, all he had to do was have a little chat with Noah and his face would be filled with a big grin,” said Noah’s teacher.

Noah loved basketball and his family say he dreamed of one day being drafted into the NBA.

His favorite team was the Chicago Bulls, and the Unity Church of God in Jesup was filled with people dressed in red and black in his honor.

“We had a writing assignment… Noah, being an ambitious kid, decided to write to LeBron James. He told LeBron that he was going to be the new king of the NBA,” said Noah’s teacher.

Noah was a bright child who left us too early.

“I never imagined in a million years that I would be burying my little brother. It was supposed to be the other way around,” said Jamarion Greathart, Noah’s older brother.

Throughout the service, attention was drawn to the ongoing investigation into Noah’s death.

“No justice, no peace. If there is no justice, there will be no peace. There will be no peace in the town of Jesup until we get justice,” said Tierani Smith, a civil rights activist.

The mayor of Jesup addressed some of these concerns directly.

“I can’t tell you how deeply I feel – how upset this makes me. And that is my prayer today and I hope that your family and the community get answers. And that you get justice,” said Mayor Ralph Hickox.

According to officials, Noah’s body was found in a drainage pit.

His family says he went out to play with a friend before he was found dead.

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation into Noah’s death is ongoing.