![Artwork by Jen White Johnson @jtknoxroxs](https://thesocialhoodsis.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_4072-1024x1018.jpeg)
Our lives matter. Our mundane, everyday moments matter. Our presence to our family and friends matters. On May 22, 2022 ten lives were robbed at hands of pure evil and hate in the form of an 18 year old white supremacist.
Victims of the Race Massacre
Pearl Young (77) was a mother, grandmother, and avid Churchgoer. She diligently gave back to her community and went to breakfast the day of the shooting before being dropped off at the Tops Friendly Markets afterward to shop. Her son, Damon, was planning on picking her up, and the two had been communicating back and forth.
Ruth Whitfield (86) was described by her son, the Former Buffalo Fire Commissioner as a “blessing for all those who knew her.” She had spent the day at the nursing home visiting with her husband of 68 years. She stopped at Tops afterwards to get something to eat.
Andre Mackneil (53) is described as a selfless and generous. He was a loving father and grandfather who was at Tops that day to buy a birthday cake for his 3 year old son.
Katherine Kat Massey (72) the oldest of 5 siblings and a pillar in her community, she is described as a the glue in her family was at Tops to do some shopping and had planned for her brother to pick her back up within 45 minutes.
Celestine Chaney (65) was at Tops that day with her sister who by the grace of God survived. She is described as a beautiful and independent woman who had recently celebrated reaching her 65th birthday with family and friends after surviving two brain aneurysms and breast cancer.
Margus D. Morrison (52) was a lovable father, husband, and brother. He brought joy to those around him through laughter and worked as a school bus aide and was a regular shopper at Tops.
Heyward Patterson (67) nicknamed Teeny he was a neighborhood favorite that everyone knew. He often drove members of his church to Tops, helping them load their groceries into his car and then taking them home. He loved his church, where he served as a deacon and gained another nickname, “Deac.”
Aaron Salter Jr. (55) was the security guard on duty when the gunman began his deadly barrage inside the supermarket. He tried taking down the gunman and fired at him multiple times — but the bullets struck the shooter’s bulletproof vest. He had a three decade career in law enforcement his family describes his loss as unimaginable
Roberta Drury (32) was the youngest of four siblings, she moved from Syracuse to Buffalo in 2010 to assist her oldest brother and help care for his children as he underwent treatment for leukemia. She was at Tops buying dinner for them.
Geraldine Talley (62) was an avid baker who was at Tops with her husband when the shooting began. They split up to get different ingredients.
We remember the members of our community and how their light touched those around them the Socialhood offers our deepest condolences to the victims families and friends.
Artwork by Jen White Johnson @jtknoxroxs
XOXO
ELAYNE MESHELL