ROSWELL, Ga. -- The funeral for 12-year-old Mary Elizabeth Paris was held Wednesday afternoon at Roswell United Methodist Church. A crowd of at least 1,000 friends, family and supporters attended.
Mary Elizabeth captured the hearts of people in Georgia and around the country, after Napoleon Dynamite star actor Jon Heder made a video for her, in character as Napoleon.
She died last week after multiple failed bone marrow transplants to try to treat acute myeloid leukemia.
Steve Paris spoke of their family's anguish, how horrifically his daughter's life ended, how sad and angry they are that more couldn't be done to save her. Paris said he and his family will spend their life fighting to raise awareness and money for research.
Mary Elizabeth's grandfather said they prayed for a miracle, for her to be healed. He said he realizes now that the miracle was all the lives and hearts that Mary touched and changed. More than 11,000 people followed her journey on Facebook.
After the funeral, outside the church, everyone was given pink and gold balloons.
And then 'Fight Song' by Rachel Platten was played and the balloons with their notes to heaven, were released into the sky.
PHOTOS | Efren Ramirez visits Mary Elizabeth
