Lumberton mother holds domestic violence awareness walk, vigil in honor of daughter

LUMBERTON, Miss. (WDAM) - Walking through the streets of Lumberton, community members came together to stand for one cause on Sunday.

“As a mayor, you would love to see something like that because it brings together people of all origins white, black whatever,” Mayor Quincy Rogers said. “It brings everyone together as a family to bring awareness to domestic violence.”

On March 29, 2009, Kim Rogers life changed forever. Her daughter, Kewaii Rogers Buckner, lost her life to her estranged husband.

Kewaii was 32-years-old at the time of her death, leaving behind three children.

Kewaii’s mother hosted a domestic awareness walk and vigil in honor of her daughter vowing to continue to raise awareness in the years to come. More than a decade later, and she stills holds true to her word.

“I have helped five women get out of domestic violence relationships,” Rogers said.

Rogers said the walk isn’t just about her daughter.

“I welcome anybody that is a survivor,” Rogers said. “That is going through that wants to be a part of this, I urge them to come and let me know. I will do everything in my power to make sure their story gets out there because again, domestic violence is real.”

Several people in the community have been a part of the walk since it’s early beginnings.

“We ended up burying her daughter and from then it’s been a continuation from then on out,” Gregory Fluker said. “If you have a child at all though, it should teach you that it’s a possibility that that situation could happen to you also.”

Kim said she wants anyone in a domestic violence situation to know there’s always a way out and she always available to help.

“Step up, speak out, end the violence,” Rogers said. “That’s our motto. Step up, speak out, end the violence.”

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