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Family members remember victims of violent crime in Caroline County vigil Date published: 12/14/2009
By PORTSIA SMITH For many, the Christmas season is about spending time with family and spreading holiday cheer. But for those who have lost a loved one to a violent crime, the holidays bring grief and a reminder of the absence in their lives. In Caroline County, area families remembered those they have lost at the ninth annual candlelight vigil and ribbon-tying ceremony at the Community Services Center on Friday night. The ceremony was hosted by Caroline's Homicide Support Group, which is sponsored by the Victim/Witness Assistance Program of the Caroline Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. Decorated wreaths with pictures of victims were hung along a wall, and purple ribbons were tied on a Christmas tree that will be displayed at the Bowling Green library. Family members and friends said the names of their loved ones out loud before tying the ribbons and lighting candles in their memory. "While this is a sad moment now, think about the happiest day you had with that person and let that memory live on forever," said Bonnie Kilgore-Leiss, who assisted with the program. The program's guest speaker was recent Caroline High graduate Marcel Anderson, who lost his mother, Iris, to a violent crime in 2005. For Caroline resident LaVerne Smith-Courtney, whose son Kelvin Smith was the victim of a 1999 robbery attempt, the ceremony was a way to turn a negative into something positive. Debbie Thomas tied a ribbon in memory of her brother, Virginia State Police 1st Sgt. Taylor Blanton, who was shot in his Caroline home six years ago. His wife, Donna Blanton, is serving life in prison for his murder. The sisters of Janet Anderson, who was killed in an unsolved hit-and-run in Bowling Green five years ago, held back tears as they remembered her. Orange County resident Maurice Ellis made the trip to Caroline to remember his son, Jamiar, who was shot and killed earlier this year. Caroline offers the closest support group to his home "and I really do need it," Ellis said. This will be his first Christmas without his son, who was 21. A Fredericksburg judge last month ordered Toronto Eura to spend the rest of his life in prison for the Jan. 6 slaying. Mary Sampson remembered her grandson, Raquel Hunter, who was shot at a Sweet 16 party in 2007. The last of nine defendants in that case was recently convicted. Commonwealth's Attorney Tony Spencer tied ribbons for the victims who did not have family members present, including Richmond residents Willie Smith and Jamal Nasir. A recent break in that 2007 double homicide led to four arrests. One suspect is still being sought in that case. Portsia Smith: 540/374-5419
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