Wiping away tears Thursday as a chill filled the Nashville air, Tonya Simmons talked about her brother, who was shot to death 25 years ago.
Edward Simmons had a daughter and was planning a wedding when he died on December 4, 1999. During the annual Season of Remembrance event, Tonya Simmons told a group of grieving families her own story of grief as she recounted how her brother pleaded with his family. life in his last moments.
“He was my best friend,” Tonya Simmons said. “When my brother was murdered, I lost a piece of me.”
For hundreds of families in Nashville, the holiday season brings a range of emotions as they mourn, celebrate, honor, laugh, smile and cry over loved ones who have been killed.
Hundreds of families hung homemade ornaments on a tree decorated with blue lights at Centennial Park on Thursday. It marked the 30th anniversary of the Season of Remembrance ceremony, held each year to pay tribute to those lost in the violence in Nashville.
The event is also a family friendly place, with many finding friendship and comfort with others dealing with similar situations.
“The grief is greater than words,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said. “It’s what takes the place of loss at the time of loss. I don’t know if there are really words for that, but what I can say is that I’m honored to join everyone’s name in remembering the important people who were lost.”
Tonya Simmons knows how much sharing her brother’s story can help with grief, even when emotions run high on holidays and special days.
“It’s been 25 years and 7 days since I lost my brother,” Tonya Simmons said. “I still cry, I still laugh and I still remember. I celebrate his birthday and I acknowledge the day he was murdered. It’s good, and no one will ever tell me it’s not true.”
Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake said 2024 saw a 9% increase in homicides from Dec. 12, compared to last year at the same time.
The agency reported 100 murders since December 12.
And nine out of 10 murders in Nashville are gun related. Drake said the city is working to stop gun violence in Nashville.
O’Connell signed an executive order granting free gun access to various locations in Nashville.
While speaking to the crowd of grieving families, Drake said they are not alone in their journey.
“By meeting here every year, we find strength in numbers, in all of us, which is important at this time of year,” Drake said.
Sherniko Waters places an ornament on a tree in memory of her brother, Sherman Waters, who was murdered 21 years ago, during the 30th annual Memorial Service at Centennial Park in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. The service honors families affected by the murders in Nashville.
But not every murder is solved, as the police work to solve many cold cases.
Sherniko Waters entered Thursday’s season of Remembrance looking for hope.
Her sister Sherman Waters was killed on Main Street in August 2023. Her sister is still looking for answers after an investigation found insufficient evidence to put a suspect in jail. Sherniko Waters said she is keeping the fight for justice for Sherman alive on behalf of the family.
Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and at X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign the digital subscription at www.tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on the Nashville Tennessean: Victims of violence honored at 30 Season of Remembrance in Nashville.