Despite rain, people turn out for Geneva vigil to remember 10

GENEVA - A single mother who had stayed away from church was drawn nearer after a killing unprecedented in Alabama struck a Geneva County town.
Stories similar to hers are what Trinity Church Pastor Gene Hauser believes he’ll hear more of in coming weeks, as more and more people remain shocked at how 10 Samson residents lost their lives to a gunman on Tuesday who later took his own.
Few of the transformation testimonies lied within residents who a steady downpour couldn’t keep away from prayer and singing songs on Saturday in remembrance of the 10.
Many of those showing support under umbrellas and a gazebo at Robert Fowler Memorial Park did not know any who had passed away.
“I had church members with relatives who were killed. This gathering was just the thing to do,” Hauser said.
“ ... I think it resonates more and more, now than ever, how unfortunate life can be. The fact we don’t live forever, at least not here, has been brought back into retrospect and I believe this is gonna draw a lot of people to believe.”
A bus load from Maple Avenue Baptist Church pulled into the park and joined others who held candles at the vigil.
Indy Bland, who sat on the ground with an umbrella, said she came to support the families who lost loved ones.
“I don’t know if anything will bring closure at a time like this, but I think it helps to know that there is support,” she said.
Erik Hartsel agreed.
While he said he didn’t know any of those who were killed, Hartsel said the vigil might have showed the families someone cared.
“It’s really an act of sympathy. Obviously nobody expected this to happen, but when it does, people see that others care, at least a little,” he said.
Former Samson resident Linda Whitaker said she knew at least two families affected by Tuesday’s tragic events.
Her son, Richard Whitaker, said their attendance at the vigil showed concern.
“Our prayers went out, they’re going out,” he said. “We just want peace and all of the people to come together.”