Mike Love almost made it through.
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Hannah Neville looks at a framed picture of her mother, Robin Reeves. Ms. Reeves was found slain in her home on Feb. 28, 2001.
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But as he prayed for his friend Robin Reeves, her mother, Faye, and her two children, Hannah Neville and Joseph Standridge, the tears overwhelmed the Thomson man.
And there was Hannah, ready with a hug for "Uncle Mike."
"It gets harder every year," Mr. Love said. "It's a little bit of everything, but when I saw Robin's name and I had to start reading about it again, I just couldn't do it. It just wouldn't come out."
More than 60 people gathered in the cold rain in front of 214 Gordon Street Sunday night to mark the fourth anniversary of the death of Robin Reeves. The mother of two was found stabbed to death in her own home on Feb, 28, 2001.
"I was amazed at the number of people who turned out in that weather," Mr. Love said. "I just hope we reached out and touched somebody."
They sang Amazing Grace, heard Precious Memories and held candles under tents in the front yard of the home.
"We miss her and love her very much," said Tammy Lyons, standing at the lecturn on the screened-in porch and choking back tears.
Several family friends and community supporters offered words of encouragement to Faye Reeves, Hannah and Joseph.
"This community loves you and we love those children," said Susan Cash, a long-time friend of Robin Reeves. "We're not going to forget, and we're not going to give up."
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Kevin Love, 9, keeps his candle lit during the memorial.
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Thomson attorney Jimmy Plunkett said Ms. Reeves was "love personified," but he encouraged people to remember the fear that she lived in for the last months of her life.
"That's the Robin we lost, the one that lived in fear," he said. "Remember her lovely spirit, but never forget her fear."
Officials are offering a $15,000 reward in the case. Anyone who may have information on Ms. Reeves' death is asked to contact GBI Special Agent Patrick Morgan at 595-2575 or the Thomson Police Department at 595-2166.
