The ARK Domestic Violence Shelter hosted their annual candlelight vigil Thursday inside the Bettie and Robert Girling Center for Social Justice at Howard Payne University to honor local victims and survivors of domestic violence and to commemorate domestic violence awareness month.

The names of local victims who lost their lives to domestic violence were read while those in attendance held lit candles as a sign of remembrance.

Bobby Brinson, program director for the local Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter base spoke about his coworker, Amber Lowery, who died just last year in a case of domestic violence.

“For us that are friends, coworkers, acquaintances of people that we feel like may be suffering at the hand of domestic violence – do something,” Brinson said. “Do anything that you can to intervene and help, because if you don’t we may be here next year adding another name and I don’t wish that on anybody.”

Also speaking Thursday was local resident Robin Garrett with her survivor story.  Garrett suffered many years of mental and physical abuse at the hand of her husband.  After leaving her husband 3 times before making it permanent, she can sympathize with those who continue to return to the abusive relationship.  Many times help from family or friends can be a key element in someone escaping abuse.

“What I hope everyone takes away from this vigil this evening is what Bobby was talking about, about being aware, about not being afraid to confront our friends or family members or anyone we know who might be in this situation,” Garrett said.  “It is the fear and silence that allows this to keep going on.”

The candlelight vigil coincides with the Empty Shoes Exhibit now on display in the Girling Center. The exhibit features shoes representing 11 deaths attributed to domestic violence in Brown, Coleman and Comanche Counties within the past 20 years. Beside each pair of shoes is the victim’s name and their story.  In addition to remembering the victims, the exhibit sparks great emotions and brings awareness to the general public not to turn a blind eye to obvious domestic violence, but to speak up.

The ARK is a shelter for victims of domestic violence and/or sexual abuse and their families in Brown, Coleman and Comanche Counties. The phone number to call for help is 325-643-2699.  For more information about the ARK Shelter, visit