Family, friends gather for joint funeral for Jamie and Derrick Orman

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Many whose lives intertwined with those of Jamie Orman and her son Derrick came to say their final goodbyes Sunday afternoon at Miller Family Funeral Home in Perryville.

Jamie Orman, 30, and Derrick Orman, 15, were shot to death in the early morning Tuesday in the home she shared with her fiance John Lawrence at 1224 N. Missouri Ave. Three suspects are in custody and face charges.

Jamie Orman was seven months pregnant at the time of her death. Her unborn child did not survive. Her two other sons, ages 14 and 9, were also in the home at the time of the shootings. The oldest of the two boys called police when he discovered his brother's injuries, but Derrick Orman died before emergency personnel could reach the scene.

Both sons were present at the joint service for their mother and brother with their father, Bruce Orman. The Ormans divorced in October 2008. Jamie Orman's 14-year-old son acted as a pallbearer for the matching caskets as they were transported to Home Cemetery in Perryville. He did not hold back his tears.

Jamie's mother, Terry Bettis, said last night she can't believe the strength her grandson has shown.

Jamie Orman

Lawrence also attended the service, surrounded by his family members.

During the Ormans' funeral, the Rev. John Chamness spoke to the mourners and shared the family's gratitude for the outpouring of support they had received from friends and the community.

Chamness also delivered a sermon with a message of mercy, forgiveness and peace.

Derrick and Jamie Orman

"We are not here today to condemn anyone or anything," Chamness said. He said most people could never understand the actions of the persons who took the lives of the Ormans.

Bettis said that she couldn't have asked for anything better out of the service except not to have to have one at all.

Chamness "tried to stress that things happen that we don't understand and can't make go away. We can't blame, we have to pray for that understanding instead," she said.

Many who attended the funeral were teenage friends of Derrick Orman.

They sat in groups in the chapel with their arms around one another's shoulders, overflowing the number of seats and sitting cross-legged on the floor. Several held pictures of Derrick and Jamie.

Kelly Yates, Jamie Orman's sister, had 1,400 photos of the mother and son printed so that those who attended the funeral could take them home. Bettis said by the end of the funeral Sunday all the photos were gone.

Bettis said Yates was in charge of arrangements and her help to the rest of the family is something she is proud of, and grateful to have had since Tuesday.

Some attendees of the services wore green bracelets with white lettering that bore the Ormans' names and "2009." Others communicated their loss with custom window stickers on vehicles that listed the Ormans with a message of loving memory.

Music was played in the Ormans' memory before the sermon. Lyrics from several country and slow alternative rock songs brought sobs from friends and family.

In the midst of his sermon, Chamness also sang and played two songs on the guitar, accompanied by his wife.

At the grave site, Jamie and Derrick Orman's family members hugged one another and listened tearfully to a prayer.

Bettis said she had much gratitude toward Derrick and of Jamie's friends who attended the service, the local community, and the police task force that worked to arrest the suspects now facing various charges related to the shootings.

Bettis said her daughter had been looking forward to the baby she was expecting, another son whom she planned to name Joseph Daniel.

Bettis had already made several crocheted blankets she planned to gift to Jamie when the baby was born. One was added to the casket to be buried with Jamie.

"My daughter was a wonderful mother. She loved her boys. When I told Derrick goodbye, I told him to take care of her," she said.