Community braves snow to pay tribute at funeral of beloved 'Bubba' with karaoke favourites and touching tributes

FRIENDS and family of a popular man known as “Bubba” braved the snow to attend his funeral, where his  favourite songs he would sing in karaoke bars were played.

Stephen Simpson (below), who was believed to be homeless, was found in a derelict outbuilding at Silverwood Miners’ Welfare Resource Centre in Dalton on January 19.

The death of the 49-year-old, also known as Steve Miller, moved the community and tributes poured in for the “top bloke” and “gentle giant” he was.

Friend Jay Crean said around 100 people had attended the funeral at Rotherham Crematorium on Friday but “there would have been a lot more” had South Yorkshire not been hit by snow.

Despite the obstacles, Bubba had been given a “lovely service”, Jay said.

She added: “We played Oasis’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Star on the way in and Wonderwall during the service — as they were Bubba’s favourite songs, along with Delilah by Tom Jones as we left the crematorium.

“It was a lovely service throughout, with lovely tributes.

“It was said in the reading that in Stephen’s younger days he would love to go out in the snow, sledging around the local cemetery — he’d certainly ordered the snow on Friday.

“We had I’d say 100 people there — there would have been a lot more but due to the snow, many buses and taxis were called off.

“We also had school closures which impacted the number of people who were able to pay their respects.

“His ashes will now be returned to Stoke, where he will be reunited with his brother, Martin.

“He will be missed so much.”