Cobb Reporter

Rehoboth Family Services held a ceremony in honor of National Day of Remembrance for homicide victims, organized by the Cobb-based group and the loved ones of a man killed in Paulding County.

“We chose not to look at the fact that our loved one is not here,” Cynthia McGarity, founder of Rehoboth, told a crowd of people from local organizations, according to Cobb County Courier. “But to celebrate their life when they were here.”

The event, held at Veterans Park in Dallas with permission from Paulding’s Park and Recreation Department and its administrative office, was the first of its kind to be held in Paulding County, Cobb County Courier reported. An open mic session allowed families and other loved ones to speak about their loved ones who fell victim to violence.

“Some say to use your talents that God has given you and he did exactly that. It is true, his talents have taken him down many roles in life – both good and bad,” said Koron Webb, whose brother, Malcolm, was killed in 2016.  “But life is full of twists and turns. Nobody knows where you will end up.” 

The nonprofit organization, founded in 2007, prioritizes offering aid to families who have been impacted by incarceration. McGarity, who lost her son to violence nearby, also understands the other side of coin, as another one of her sons is incarcerated for a violence-related charge, Cobb County Courier said. 

At the event, she described the origins of the National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims, which is marked every year on Sept. 25.

“In May 2007, this act was initiated by the United States Congress,” McGarity said. “The family which petitioned Congress was Robert and Charlotte Hullinger of Cincinnati, Ohio. Their 19-year-old daughter was the victim of a homicide in Germany in 1989, and it took almost 27 years of consistency of them petitioning, of them doing everything that it takes because their daughter’s life was important – just like all of our loved ones’ lives are important.”