Friends and family gathered at the Johnson family home as they held a birthday vigil in memory of Shameka Johnson’s 41st birthday.

The vigil began at 6 o’clock Friday evening. It would have been Johnson’s 41st birthday.

Grand Coteau Mayor and Shameka’s sister, Shaterral Johnson says the family wanted to hold the vigil to celebrate her life. “It’s a celebration of her and the happy beautiful person that she was. She was a beautiful person and as many people put on facebook she was an angel, a walking angel.”

Johnson was killed on August 26th during a shooting/stabbing at the family home on Anna Street. The family celebrated Shameka’s birthday here every year….and they wanted to continue that tradition Friday.

Johnson says even though her sister is not with them physically she will always be with them spiritually. “I really miss my sister. You know, I have to send her birthday wishes to heaven you know instead fo here on earth but it gives me some what comfort knowing that we celebrated every day. We ate good, we traveled. We made everyday count.”

The vigil ended with a balloon release.

Her father, Wilbert Johnson says he was happy to see friends and family coming together not to mourn her loss, but celebrate her life. “Of course, I’m going to miss my daughter but knowing that she is in a safe place and that she did what she had to do, I’ll always feel good about it.”

The family says they want to continue this tradition each year.

During the observance two crosses made by family members were placed in the front yard in memory of both victim’s, Shameka Johnson and Sunset Police Officer Henry Nelson.