PONCHATOULA, La. (WGNO) — December 2019 — that’s a month that felt like a lifetime for Pamela White.
“My son was an innovator, he was a business person, he was an entrepreneur, he was a giver, he was one that loved to help people,” said White.
Her son, Dararius Evans, was murdered.
The news sent shockwaves through her body. Distraught and in disbelief, White did the one thing she knew how to do: pray to God.
“The morning that we were getting ready for his services, about three or four in the morning, I was awakened by God to say you’re going to be helping other people grieve.”
Just a few months later, she put that calling into action.
“March of 2020, I had about eight mothers in the living room of my home. I had no idea how I’d feel, how I could help them,” White said. “We met, we cried, we talked, we shared.”
It was a small group of women supporting one another as each navigated through hard times. White knew though, that these feelings impacted many more.
In November 2021, the first Grieving with Grace conference was born. In total, almost 85 people showed up.
The conference included special sessions, ministers, counselors, therapists and many sharing their own testimonies.
“I want people to know that even though we may be going through this grieving process you don’t have to look like you’re grieving. Like it’s okay to laugh it’s okay to continue to live,” White explained.
It’s now blossomed into an annual event taking place each November. White says it helps hundreds of people cope,
“It fuels me, it gives me the energy to know, I have my moments and don’t think I don’t have my moments of sadness, it’s just the grace of God has kept me,” said White.
She pushes on finding passion in helping others and finding ways not only to keep Dararius’ memory alive but to bring him with her every step of the way by wearing a pin with his signature on it.
If you’re interested in attending the Grieving with Grace conference or attending a grief gathering which is essentially a small group of people sharing their stories, visit the Empowering Kingdom Growth website.
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