As the small town of Livingston, Texas, prepares to say goodbye to Audrii Cunningham, the 11-year-old girl whose life was tragically cut short, her memory lives on through gestures of a community in mourning. Audrii will be remembered at a visitation service this Friday, to be held from 5-8 p.m. at Livingston's First Baptist Church. Her favorite color, purple, is requested attire for those attending, in a poignant tribute to the girl's vibrant spirit.
Audrii's impact was far-reaching within her community, and now, the Livingston Independent School District (LISD) is stepping up to expand her legacy. They have announced the creation of the Audrii Cunningham Memorial Scholarship, to be part of their annual Green and White Scholarship Ceremony. According to KTRK, Dr. Brent Hawkins, LISD Superintendent, emphasized Audrii's love of school by stating, "What better way to honor her memory than to help a student further their education."
The tragedy has cast a spotlight on the darker aspects of human nature, as Audrii's disappearance from a bus stop on Feb. 15 led to the discovery of her body on February 20 near the Trinity River. An autopsy indicated that blunt head force trauma was the cause of her untimely death. Don Steven McDougal, a man living in a trailer behind Audrii's home and a family friend, faces capital murder charges for her killing. McDougal's past, laden with criminal activity, has caused upheaval within the grieving community. He had been arrested on an unrelated charge shortly after Audrii was reported missing, and online records showed a history of dozens of arrests over two decades, including child enticement, which does not require sex offender registration.
In the midst of heartbreak, Cunningham's family and friends stay determined to honor her joyous approach to life. They remember her as the staple of the "cool kids club," full of life, passion, and the desire to care for animals. "She touched so many lives and filled them with joy and happiness that was infectious," said the family, according to a statement obtained by the Houston Chronicle. Her mother, Cassie Matthews, in an interview with Nancy Grace, expressed regret over her daughter's situation, vowingly vehemently, "I will not fail my daughter again."
Donations in lieu of flowers for Audrii's family are being directed to VFW Post 8568, which will send proceeds to Texas Equusearch and charities that support victims of violent crimes. These acts serve not only as a medium to help others but also, as a testament to the indelible mark that Audrii has left behind. As Audrii is laid to rest, her community, and her school district vow to ensure that her bright, albeit short-lived flame, continues to shine through the lives she touched and the legacy she leaves.
