Marion community gathers to honor the short life of Jade Marie Beasley

MARION - Family and friends gathered at a chilly outdoor candlelight vigil Saturday night to remember an 11-year-old girl killed in a stabbing attack.

Jade Marie Beasley of rural Marion died Dec. 5. after being stabbed multiple times. Julia Bevely, 29, the longtime partner of Beasley's father, Gregory Michael Beasley, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder.

Saturday night, at least 100 mourners gathered at the Williamson County Fairgrounds to hear words of comfort from Cassie Gossett, who organized the event, and the Rev. Darrell Wimberly, Marion Community Unit District 2's dean of students. Jade Marie Beasley was a sixth-grader at Marion Junior High School.

"This is not something that anyone wants to have happen," Wimberly said. "However, we're here for the community to come together and support the family. You're here tonight because what God has put on your heart."

Wimberly led those gathered in a prayer for understanding and compassion for Beasley's family, while some friends and classmates of Jade's, like Abbie Shaw of Marion, held posters celebrating Jade's life.

"If we've learned anything from this, it's to love people while we have time," Wimberly told the mourners.

Friends of the family say they don't understand why Jade was killed.

Jewell Marshall, with her daughters Ky'Lee Neal and Kalea Marshall, lit candles in remembrance. Jewell, who knows Jade's father Michael, said her family wanted to show their support.

"This is heartbreaking. I don't know what to say," Jewell said.