Purple - a hue symbolizing nobility and ambition - blanketed the Texas Craft Fair in Livingston on Wednesday as friends and family gathered to honor the memory of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham. Just days after her tragic death seized headlines, the community vigil shone a light on her vibrant life and creative spirit often expressed through her art and her love for animals.
As they sought to celebrate Audrii's life rather than dwell solely on the circumstances of her passing, attendees shared heartfelt stories that showcased her character. "She was just sweet and soft and kind," Audrii's mother, Cassie Matthews, told the Houston Chronicle, "She could be a little sassy at times." Matthews reminisced about her daughter's pretend play after watching Spider-Man, her entrepreneurial spirit in starting a neighborhood dog-walking business, and the time she professed membership in the "cool kids club" with her glasses-wearing uncle.
The news of the young girl's disappearance on February 15 echoed through the community, only to reverberate with further traumatic shock when her body was found beneath the Trinity River Bridge. According to reports by ABC13, Don Steven McDougal, an associate of Audrii's father, was charged with capital murder in the case.
The vigil was infused with memories of the joy Audrii brought to those around her. "People from out of town that I met today at the bridge leaving balloons. It affected everybody. Audrii is missed. She had a smile - Oh, my god," recalled Casey Evans, a family friend, in an interview with ABC13. The Livingston ISD superintendent, Brent Hawkins, remembered how Audrii's smile and artwork, which hangs proudly in the school's lobby, positively affected her teachers and peers. Matthews evoked an image of her daughter's innocence and vitality, describing Audrii's happy tears during a tender moment they shared, "She came running to me. She called, 'Mom!' and almost took me out, I mean to the ground," Matthews shared with ABC13. To create further awareness, the community has rallied behind a petition to close legal loopholes that allowed individuals like McDougal, who pleaded guilty to enticing a child in 2008, to evade the sex offender registry.
The prayers, candles, and sea of purple worn by the gathered crowd served as a testament to her impact.
