LONGVIEW, Texas — East Texas families make memories with their loved ones during the holiday season, but for some who've lost those they hold dear to violent crimes, that's no longer possible.
That's why the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office has partnered with the Tree of Angels organization to celebrate and honor lives of homicide victims. On Wednesday, a special Christmas tree shined blissfully as several Gregg County residents decorated it with ornaments -- not just any ornaments though -- they were dedicated to victims of violent crimes.
Pam Mason and her mother Kay Stewart make this a traditional event every holiday season to honor a loved one.
"We're here for my sister Gail Sandidge," Mason said. "She was a nurse at Good Shepherd hospital 10 years ago and was stabbed."
On Nov. 26, 2013, Kyron Rayshawn Templeton fatally stabbed Sandidge, 57, and Harris K. Teel, 82, at then-Good Shepherd Medical Center. In May 2019, Templeton pleaded guilty to the crimes received a life sentence plus 40 years.
Mason and her mother say this event helped them come to terms with the loss of Sandidge.
"I think it helps people to really learn and get through the remembrances in a better place and not be sad all the time," Mason said.
Gregg County District Attorney John Moore says this event is important to the office and the community.
"They like coming up here knowing that their loved ones who have been victims of violent crime are respected, remembered, and they're not forgotten," Moore said.
The is Moore's first time hosting the event following the tradition of the previous district attorney for the fourth year in a row.
"We take great pride in this and Gregg County because the majority of the time in courts after it's happened, it's all about the defendant when it shouldn't be," Moore said. "It should be about the victims and the victim's family because they're the innocent ones here."
Two sisters, Taylor Stoker and Gabriell Parker lost their uncle, George Stoker, in 2021, and said this form of honoring their loved one touches their family deeply as his case is still ongoing.
In April 2021, Stoker was struck by a vehicle in the 3900 bock W. Loop 281 in Longview. He later died at a local hospital.
"It's still hard it’s we’re trying," Parker said. "We have our good and bad days and we're just trying to get through it."
Even though their uncle is gone, the sisters say they celebrate him every day, especially during the holidays.
"I know this is very comforting for a lot of families and people that are still going through the cases," Parker said. "I just wanna say thank you."
The tree is displayed in the hallway of the fourth floor of the Gregg County Courthouse for everyone to see.