JACKSON, Miss. (Map, News) - Marine Lance Cpl. Casey Casanova, thought to be the first woman from Mississippi killed in combat in Iraq, will be laid to rest Saturday.

Casanova, a 22-year-old McComb native, is remembered by family and friends as a woman who loved to sing and dance and never met a stranger. She was one of four Marines who died in a roadside bomb attack May 2 in Iraq's Al Anbar province.

"Celebrate life because that's what they were doing," her mother, Paula Carruth, said Friday. "They were giving their lives so we could celebrate ours."

Visitation is scheduled for Saturday at New Heights Baptist Church in Summit from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Burial will follow at Adams Methodist Church Cemetery.

Carruth said she didn't know it at the time, when Casanova enlisted two years ago, but she has since learned her daughter "was born to be a Marine."

"Freedom is not free. We need to keep supporting our troops," Carruth said. "Do not forget them. We can't quit them. They are not quitting us for one second."

Casanova attended Bass Memorial Academy in Lumberton before going to Southwest Mississippi Community College, where she played drums in the band and sang, said her grandmother, Kitty Carruth. She also sang with her church and was honored to sing the national anthem at a Marine ball in California.

"She loved to sing. She sang all the time. When she was two years old, she was singing on the toilet," her mother said. "That's was she loved to do. She did it well."

Paula Carruth said Marines from across the country plan to attend the funeral. That, she said, is what Marines do.

"My heart goes out to the Marines who were with my daughter and their families," Carruth said. "People told me that my daughter was very, very good friends with these young gentlemen and they took care of her."

Others killed in the attack were: Cpl. Miguel A. Guzman, 21, of Norwalk, Calif.; Lance Cpl. James F. Kimple, 21, of Carroll, Ohio; and Sgt. Glen E. Martinez, 31, of Boulder, Colo.

Comments from Examiner Readers

1:26 PM MST on Fri., May. 9, 2008 re: "Marine to be laid to rest Saturday"

Examiner Reader said:
My condolences to Cpl. Casey's family I'm so sorry for your loss. My cousin was Sgt. Glen E. Martinez and words cannot express how painful this is. Your daughter had to of been in great company with these men. Glen's character would support the fact that she was taken care of by these Marines 100%. We are so proud of all them. My thoughts and prayers go out to all families who have lost loved ones to War. I agree that it's so important for everyone to support our troops. They are the ipotomy of heroes. Francine Torres

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree