Woodbridge Candlelight Vigil Held for Shooting Victim

Update: Feb. 23. A memorial service will be held for Alice Jenkins Everette at First Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 16622 Dumfries Road, Dumfries VA, 22025 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 24. For information on how to help the Everette family, view this Facebook page.

Original Story: Feb. 21

A multitude of friends gathered with candles in hand to hold a vigil for Alice Jenkins Everette at the Chick-Fil-A Sunday night.

Everette, a mother of three young girls and a Dumfries resident,. Her estranged husband was charged with her murder.

Together, the crowd sang “This Little Light of Mine” to begin the vigil. Organizer Pam Forshay said it was to remember what a light that Everette had inside her.

Currently a plan is in the works to open a trust fund for the three Everette girls, more information will be coming forward as the plan comes together. The Cardinal Montessori school, where two of Everette’s younger girls attend, organized the vigil. Members of the religious community came out to voice their support for the Everette family.

One participant, Shani Croom, serenaded the crowd with “Amazing Grace” while rain started to fall on the crowd.

Children and friends of Everette stepped up to the open microphone after an opening prayer to speak to the kind of woman that Everette was. Person after person that approached the microphone described Everette as good Christian and an outstanding mother who was full of love.

Many participants shared memories of Everette with her three girls in tow and described her as a mother they aspired to be.

The varsity basketball coach at Aquinas, where Everette’s oldest daughter attends, spoke of the poise Everette’s daughter possessed. Something he credited to Everette’s parenting.

Participants in the vigil all shared memories of Everette and her kind, warm demeanor. Children spoke to how much they loved “Miss Alice” and how much they will miss her.

Dr. Derek Grier, the pastor of Grace Church in Dumfries, where Everette had attended for about a year but was not a member spoke to the power of the community and how many lives Everette had touched.

For those interested in helping deliver meals to the family, please follow this Facebook page.