Cartwright, OK - Family and friends gathered to say goodbye to murdered 11-year-old Dakota Hughes. Her funeral was held at First Baptist Church in Cartwright this morning at 11 a.m.

After the service a funeral procession took her body about an hour away to Pilot Point Cemetery in Texas where she was laid to rest.

Those who attended say they gathered to remember Dakota's life, to comfort and support one another during this difficult time. And as someone who knew Dakota and her family well, Kimberly Pickens says they are deeply saddened by the loss, and look to each other to move forward.

“Well right now we have to take it one day at a time we have to remember Dakota, like I said she's full of life. And what Dakota would want is for us to be happy and to go on and live life to the fullest and that's exactly what we're going to do and Dakota will never be forgotten,” said Pickens.

Jason Belew of Sherman is accused of murdering Hughes in her aunt's home last Sunday. He is now behind bars in the Bryan County Jail, being held without bond. Officials with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation believe that Dakota may have been strangled to death.

"Dakota did not deserve it, Dakota was a child, this was a grown man and he deserves everything,” said Pickens of Belew.

Belew is charged with first degree murder. His preliminary hearing has been set for January 14, 2010.