MOTHERS OF MURDERED OFFSPRING

Judy Williams, co-founder of Mothers of Murdered Offspring in 1993 with her son David Howard and Dee Sumpter, died Oct. 10 at age 69.

Mothers of Murdered Offspring co-founder Judy Williams died on Oct. 10.

She was 69 years old.

Miss Williams, who died after a battle with stage 4 lung cancer, co-founded Mothers of Murdered Offspring in 1993 in response to her goddaughter Shawna Hawk’s murder. Hawk was raped and strangled to death by serial killer Henry Wallace, who was convicted of 11 murders and sentenced to death. Charlotte had 129 homicides that year, the highest in the city’s history. Williams, her son David Howard and Hawk’s mother Dee Sumpter, formed a support group to help families impacted by murder while also advocating for the prevention of violence.

Today that organization, which known as MOM-O, is a 501 (c)3 that offers programs focusing on substance abuse awareness, gun violence prevention, relationship violence, as well as youth initiatives. Countless candlelit vigils have been held since MOM-Os was founded for the victims of homicide. The organization intends to hold one in honor of Miss Williams. Details will be announced soon.

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