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It was a soulful and somber ceremony Tuesday night time for (*5*)d on the heart of an Amber Alert that was issued final week.
Hundreds of individuals gathered to recollect the little lady who was discovered lifeless Friday night.
The vigil, at First Baptist Church of Cottondale, was not removed from the place authorities say Athena was kidnapped after which killed by a FedEx supply driver.
Athena’s mom Maitlyn Gandy spoke publicly for the primary time since her daughter’s demise.
“I just want to keep her face and her story alive because I want everyone to know Athena, for Athena, and not for what someone tried to make her out to be because she’s the best little girl, she really was,” mentioned Gandy.
Who Athena was, she mentioned, was a bubbly girly-girl who beloved animals and the colour pink
At the vigil, Athena’s first-grade instructor Lindsey Thompson mentioned she’ll always remember Athena’s smile, voice snicker and sense of favor.
“I now have 18 of my favorite 6 and 7-year-olds that are sad and hurting because they no longer have a friend and classmate,” mentioned Thompson.
The pastor at First Baptist Church of Cottondale introduced greater than 900 candles got out earlier than the vigil and that the road of vehicles ready to reach was backed up for miles.
A member of the Wise County Sheriff’s Office and a number of other native pastors spoke additionally spoke on the vigil.
One pastor mentioned a query he’s obtained steadily is “’Why didn’t god save Athena?’ My answer is he did.”
Gandy thanked the volunteers who searched for her daughter and the primary responders who helped convey her household closure.
She had one request for these touched by Athena’s story. “I don’t care if it’s five years from now, 10 years from now, remember Athena Strand,” mentioned Gandy.
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