HOUSTON, Texas — Sunday was a day filled with food, music, and community at Sunnyside Park as family and friends gathered to honor Maleah Davis.
“She was everything and I’m glad everyone else knows because I knew. She’s, my child,” said Maleah’s dad Craig Davis
Under the Sunnyside Park pavilion, pictures of then-4-year-old Maleah were seen on banners and shirts.
“She lit up when she was around everybody. It’s just her smile. You see on here look at that smile like she was a happy baby we miss her,” said Maleah’s Cousin Tijuana Joseph.
Family members are holding on tight to the memories of the little girl who would’ve been 9 years old now.
“I wish that we would have had the opportunity to see her grow up. But you know as my auntie says, God always has other plans,” SAID Tijuana Joseph. It's unfortunate how she passed. But we Thank God that we had the chance to spend time with her while she was here.”
Family members shared what they remember most about Maleah.
"She was a sweet little girl. A very sweet little girl,” said Maleah’s great-great-grandmother, Charlie Mae Green.
Even those not related to Maleah stepped up to help provide resources for the community in honor of her.
“Making sure that the community are aware about the different things that surround domestic violence and mental health. many times, children don’t know what to do,” said Rosie Turnipseed, one of the co-organizers of the event.
Hoping the resources can help take care of each other and prevent tragedies like what happened to Maleah from happening.
“We want to make sure that the parents that are still here are able to provide for their kids the services and resources that they need. We’re making it available to them,” said Turnipseed.
While Maleah’s not here anymore, her family said they still feel her.
“We don't see her. But I feel that her spirit is with us today,” said Green.
They’re thankful to those who showed up for Maleah.
“It’s an honor that everybody thought enough of her even though she’s gone to heaven to come out and honor this day,” said Green.
Maleah's stepfather, Derion Vence, is serving a 40-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to injury of a child and tampering with a corpse.