WASHINGTON - Four of the nine people killed in last Monday's tragic Metro accident were laid to rest Tuesday morning.

District native Dennis Hawkins was remembered this week as family and friends held a tribute for the 64-year-old at Bethesda Baptist Church in northeast on Monday night, and gathered to lay him to rest Tuesday morning.

Hawkins was on the train from the school where he worked to his church to teach bible study last Monday. He was a life-long educator, though he had no children of his own. His brothers and sisters and their families say he will be sorely missed.

"He was on a train, preparing to come to the house of the Lord; instead, he went to the House of the Lord, so I'm rejoicing," said Ken Hawkins, the victim's brother.

"We need great people like that in our system and this is a huge loss for DCPS," noted Michelle Rhee, chancellor of D.C. Public Schools.

Another tearful goodbye was held Tuesday morning for the crash's youngest victim. Friends and family remembered 23-year-old Washington native and mother of two Lavonda "Nikki" King at Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Capitol Heights.

In the days before her death, King had just opened a hairstyling business in District Heights. She was on her way to pick up her 3-year-old and 2-year-old sons from daycare when the train crash occurred.

King was remembered as being smart, kind and having an infectious laugh. "I promise not to grieve forever because I know you are in a better place," said Janice Jamison, King's aunt.

A service for Washington residents Maj. Gen. David Wherley Jr. and his 62-year-old wife, Ann Wherley, was held Tuesday at Arlington National Cemetery.

Sixty-two-year-old Maj. Gen. Wherley was a retired commanding general of the D.C. National Guard. His wife Ann Wherley, also 62, worked as a mortgage broker. A memorial for the couple Monday night drew hundreds of family and friends as well as those with whom the couple had worked and volunteered.

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