‘Angels all around us’
Montgomery County Courthouse Christmas tree helps comfort those families who have lost loved ones to violence
For the second year, the Montgomery County Courthouse in Conroe has served as part of a solemn Christmas tradition for Taisha Givens.
Her 17-year-old son Joshua Givens, was killed by a drunk driver in an early March 2019 hit-andrun as he walked home in east county. After a pandemic pause last year, Taisha Givens, 37, returned Thursday evening to pay tribute to her late son at the Tree of Angels ceremony.
“I don’t want to say I look forward to it but it’s something nice to be at and to participate in,” Givens said about the annual event where angel ornaments dedicated to victims of violent crime are hung on a Christmas tree by family members.
This is the 25th year the gathering has provided comfort to the bereaved.
“I know last year I really missed being here with all you guys,” said crime victims advocate Janice Sager, who organized the Conroe occasion also celebrated in other counties. “I’m so grateful to be back here and that we’re together and we can support each other and honor our loved ones and remember our loved ones.”
Sager’s remarks were delivered a few steps from the 10-foot tree bedecked with baubles interspersed by family photos of those lost to violence. An angel tree topper hovered below the courthouse lobby’s high ceiling as the holiday evergreen’s twinkle lights were formally illuminated before guests.
As congregants conversed, a procession placed angels on the tree.
A spirited moment in the program came as Delores Riley, with the Texas Department of Texas Criminal Justice, performed a jazzy tune, crooning, “angels all around us, filling us with love.”
Givens found some relief this year as the man responsible for her son’s death was sentenced to prison in October. Having struck a plea deal with prosecutors, Logan Chase Foster, 26, of Centerton, Ark., received eight years of incarceration for accident involving death and for manslaughter.
Her thoughts, however, are with her son and all the Christmases they spent.
“He was not a fan of decorating and stuff like that, but he loved Christmas,” she said before breaking into a quiet laugh, her iridescent snowman earrings sparkling against her dark hair. “He didn’t like the work being put into it. He just wanted to show up and it be done.”
Victoria Givens, 33, helped her sister, Taisha, a single mom, raise Joshua. The two women celebrate the boy by visiting his resting place during special times of the year, such as his birthday, Day of the Dead and Christmas, of course. They like to adorn his grave site with flowers and lights.
Taisha Givens’ eyes well up with tears talking about how Joshua’s life was cut short. The New Caney High School junior and football player was known for an outgoing personality and aspired to be an accountant.
For now, Tree of Angels helps the Givens and others grieving connect with each other.
Fellow attendees “have gone through the same thing you’re going through,” Taisha Givens said outside the courthouse as a strong gust of wind blew through.