A steady stream of mourners passed slowly by Audriana Pearson’s flower-draped casket Thursday, some gently touching her and others stopping to give her a kiss.

Tears flowed as family and friends said goodbye to the 12-year-old affectionately known as “Minnie,” who was killed in a drive-by shooting while she was in her bed just four days before Christmas.

The Rev. Lawrence Jackson, pastor at Greater Grace Baptist Church, started Audriana’s funeral by announcing the church was giving her mother, Tyraneeka Myricks, $1,000 to start a foundation in the name of her slain daughter.

“I don’t believe God sent her here for 12 years for her to be forgotten,’’ Jackson said. “I think she’ll be known now more than she ever would have been.”

“Let her life always be known by helping someone else,” Jackson said. “Let her life never be forgotten by doing acts of kindness toward one another. If you want to help, stop the violence.”

Audriana’s father, Hosea Pearson, wept openly as the girl’s casket was shut.

Audriana was sharing a bed with two friends when, just before 2 a.m. on Dec. 21, 17 bullets were fired into the home in the 500 Block of 16th Avenue N.W.

Ja’Von Eric Wilson, 19, and Jarei Lamar Vance, 18, are charged with capital murder in Audriana’s slaying. They were taken into custody later that Wednesday after a police chase that spanned several miles and ended in Ensley.

Authorities have not said who is believed to have been the intended target of the gunfire.

Audriana is one of 20 homicide victims in Birmingham in 2022 under the age of 19.

She would have would have turned 13 on January 17, and was a seventh-grader at Erwin Middle School, where she was on the cheer squad, the dance team, and a whiz in mathematics.

“Her infectious smile and outgoing personality will be sorely missed by her fellow students and teachers,’’ according to funeral program.

“Audriana was a bright young lady with a big future. She was well-liked and enjoyed socializing with her friends and favorite teachers,” Erwin Middle School principal Dr. Angela Bush previously said.

When not in school, family said, she spent time making up routines for TikTok and hung out with her best friends, Jordan and Anarie.

“Audriana was known to be her mother’s best friend, and she affectionately called her ‘shadow.’ Often, she would make plans with her mother and check on her via text when they were not together,’’ the program stated. “Although she was the baby of the family, she was also known as her brothers’ protector.”

A couple hundred people turned out Thursday to pay their final respects to Audriana at Greater Grace Baptist Church.

Many wore red t-shirts with the words, “Long Live Minnie,” and the stretch limousines that brought her family to the church each were adorned with Audriana’s photo.

Jackson said when the deadly shooting happened, “No parent in their right mind did not reflect on their own children.”

“I’ve got babies myself,’’ he said. “Your heart grieves.”

Jackson used Scripture to show the family there is hope and told them to look to God. “There is hope in hard times,’’ he said. “This is indeed a hard time.”

Jackson encouraged those in attendance to use Audriana’s death for good.

“Every young person in this room, hear me good,’’ he said. “What are you going to do with the rest of your life?”

“Being young is cool but it gets gone fast,’’ Jackson said. “I challenge you to made today the first day of the rest of your life. Go after your dreams, go after everything God gave you. Love yourself.”