Wiping away tears Thursday as a cold chill filled the Nashville air, Tonya Simmons spoke about her brother, who was fatally shot 25 years ago.
Edward Simmons had a daughter and was planning a wedding when he died on Dec. 4, 1999. During the annual Season to Remember event, Tonya Simmons told a group of grieving families her own story of grief as she recounted how her brother pleaded for his life during his final moments.
“He was my best friend,” Tonya Simmons said. “After my brother was murdered, I lost a piece of myself.”
For hundreds of families in Nashville, the holiday season brings a range of emotions as they grieve, celebrate, honor, laugh, smile and cry over slain loved ones.
Dozens of families hung homemade ornaments on a tree decorated in blue lights at Centennial Park on Thursday. It marked the 30th anniversary of the Season to Remember ceremony, held each year to pay tribute to those lost to violence in Nashville.
The event is also a cathartic space for families, with many finding friendship and solace with others dealing with the same circumstances.
“Grief is so much bigger than words,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said. “It’s what takes the place of loss during loss. I don’t know whether there really are words for that, but what I can say is I’m honored to join everyone’s name in remembrance of special people that are missed.”
Tonya Simmons knows how much sharing her brother’s story can help in the grieving process, even if emotions run high on holidays and milestone days.
“It’s been 25 years and seven days since I lost my brother,” Tonya Simmons said. “I still cry, I still laugh and I still remember. I celebrate his birthday and acknowledge the date that he was murdered. It’s OK, and no one can ever tell me that it’s not.”
Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake said 2024 has seen a 9% rise in homicides as of Dec. 12, compared to last year at the same time.
The department has reported 100 homicides as of Dec. 12.
And nine out of 10 homicides in Nashville are gun-related. Drake said the city is working to curb gun violence in Nashville.
O’Connell signed an executive order offering free gun locks at various locations throughout Nashville.
While addressing the crowd of grieving families, Drake said they are not alone in their journey.
“By meeting here every year, we find strength in numbers, in all of us, which is vitally important for this time of year,” Drake said.
But not every homicide is resolved, as police work to solve dozens of cold cases.
Sherniko Waters attended Thursday’s Season to Remember in search of hope.
Her brother Sherman Waters was killed on Main Street in August 2023. His sister is still seeking answers after the investigation found insufficient evidence to put the person responsible in prison. Sherniko Waters said she’s keeping the fight for justice for Sherman alive on behalf of the family.
Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.
