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A candlelight vigil was on Wednesday, Oct. 30 in memory of Charity and in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. (Reporter photos/Noah Wortham)

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – One by one, the gentle flicker of candles being lit filled the parking lot of Old Mill Square as the community gathered together in mourning, fellowship and in the remembrance of Charity Lea Snow.

A candlelight vigil was held on Wednesday, Oct. 30 in memory of Charity, coinciding with the final two days of domestic violence month. Charity, a mother and popular figure in Columbiana, was recently killed in an alleged domestic dispute by her husband, who is the current suspect and is in jail facing a murder charge.

Members of Charity’s family attended the vigil where community members expressed their sympathies and shared memories.

“It’s one of the most tragic things that anybody could ever go through,” Charity’s brother Bobby Snow said. “You should never have to bury your daughter. It’s so much, but the community is overwhelming. They have shown so much love.”

Bobby shared that he remembers Charity as a loving person. He said that Charity worked at the Exxon gas station in Columbiana and that he remembers frequently going in to visit her there.

“I went there every morning to get a cup of coffee, and I couldn’t leave without her telling me she loved me,” Bobby said. “She loved telling (that to) everybody. She was a good person.”

In a difficult moment, Bobby spoke to the crowd during the vigil and shared that Charity’s death was the result of a “toxic relationship.”

“Her killer was no stranger to her—it was her husband,” Bobby said. “He was also the father of her child. He was supposed to be her protector. He was supposed to protect her life—he did not. He was her abuser. We hope this serves as a wakeup-call to anyone living in a domestic violence situation. Seek help and break the cycle before it’s too late.”

The candlelight vigil was led by Keela Lowery, owner of Redeeming Grace Boutique and a domestic abuse overcomer.

“I do want to say, from the bottom of my heart, this is so amazing,” Lowery said. “Seeing the community come out and learn more about domestic violence and shed light is truly, truly a blessing. I’m just so honored to stand beside Charity’s family and to be able to do this.”

During the service, two songs were shared with the crowd as community members stood in solidarity and love of Charity and in memory of all domestic abuse victims.

After playing the first song, Lowery reflected on its relevance to her own struggle with an abusive relationship.

“People that are currently going through domestic violence, the ones who are just surviving, they don’t feel like there is any hope, but there is hope, and there is hope in Jesus,” Lowery said.

At the end of the ceremony, the crowd stood together in silence as members of the police department sounded a siren in honor of those who have lost their lives to domestic violence.

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