New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
New Haven homicide victim, mom of two, remembered as joyous
NEW HAVEN — Dwaneia Turner was a joyous, spirited young woman, a mother of two. She was funny and outspoken; a good and willing cook; she doted on children. She was taken before her time.
Family and friends remembered Turner, 28, on Friday as they held a candlelight vigil on the corner of Auburn Street and Legion Avenue, where she was shot and killed earlier this week.
With smiles and tears, they came together and spoke of their friend and loved one. The group released balloons in her honor, watching as they sailed out into the evening light.
Jazzmine Smallwood said she met Turner at a young age; they sat together on the swings, talking about birthdays. She learned that they were a year and a day apart; they called each other sister from
there on out.
“She always just wanted to have fun,” said Smallwood. “There was never a dull moment for her.”
Smallwood said Turner was a family-oriented person, with particular love for her two children, Sanaa and Cordell, known as “King.”
In her professional life, she worked a number of jobs, including at Home Depot and Hobby Lobby, seizing opportunities as they came, Smallwood said. In her personal life, she loved shopping and clothes; she always wanted to have something to do.
Smallwood asked people to remember the two young people as they considered the life of her friend.
“Remember her by her children,” said Smallwood. “Remember her as a true woman who always handled her business.”
Tache White, Turner’s older sister, described her as a “fun and loving person.” They would go back and forth, she said, playfully arguing about who was cuter. They would get together regularly, laughing and joking. She said she would miss those conversations.
“Even though she was the youngest one, she was willing to take care of me,” said
White. “She was always the one who wanted to make time to spend with the peple she loved... she was willing to give it all.”
Charmaine Graham also described Turner as funny and outgoing — “a goofball.” They grew up together, Graham said; Turner was someone you could rely on for help in a time of trouble.
Brittany Odom said she had been Turner’s friend for 13 years. She said Turner was loud, funny, outspoken — “just very outgoing.”
When Turner lived in Fair Haven, Odom said, she would hold cookouts. At those, she
would bend the rules to make sure the children had a good time, buying them candy, and cook for everyone.
Brianna Triplett is charged with first-degree assault in connection with Turner’s death. Odom said she had been close to both, making this time particularly difficult to process.
“Right now, I’m just numb. I’m hurt,” said Odom.
White said she was hurt and angry. She noted that her sister was young, just 28 — her life shouldn’t have ended this way, she said.
Smallwood said she had organized the vigil, in part, in
hopes of getting justice for Turner and her two children.
After people had spoken, offering memories and urging one another to appreciate the lives of their loved ones while they are still here, White led the group in prayer.
She thanked God for her sister’s life — for her love, for the times she would tell her off, for the chance to know her.
“We thank you for the days, the memories,” said White. “Though her life was short, we thank you, Lord God.”