A Weekend in Mississippi: Standing Together for Justice and Remembering Ashley
This past week, I made the long journey from England to Mississippi for the one year anniversary of Carly’s sentencing. What unfolded was more than just a trip, it was a chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with Carly’s family, to honor Ashley’s memory, and to remind ourselves why we continue fighting for justice.
Wednesday – The Journey Over
I left home at 5 a.m. UK time, tired but determined. After a long flight to Atlanta, a four hour layover, and another flight on to Jackson, I was greeted with open arms by Warrior Jodi and Carly’s grandparents, Robert and Vicki. Their warmth after such a draining trip was a reminder of the family like bond this journey has created between us all. By the time I reached bed, it was 4:30 a.m. UK time, I was utterly exhausted, but grateful to finally be there.
Thursday – Visiting Ashley’s Resting Place
After sharing a group lunch, we drove together to Ashley’s final resting place. It was quiet, peaceful, and heavy with meaning. Standing there with flowers in hand, surrounded by others who carry the same ache, was overwhelming. Though I never met Ashley in this life, the bond I felt in that moment was undeniable.
It’s strange and yet so powerful, how someone you’ve never spoken to, never shared a day with, can still feel so present in your heart. In that stillness, I felt connected to her, as though the threads of our stories had been woven together by the love and grief we now share. Looking around at Carly’s family and Ashley’s loved ones, I realized that each of us had been brought to that spot by her life and her memory. Different lives, different journeys, but one united bond of love, loss, and determination to carry her name forward. Laying the flowers down was more than a gesture, it was a promise. A promise that Ashley will never be forgotten, that her spirit continues to guide this fight, and that even those of us who never knew her personally will keep her memory alive in our hearts and actions.
Friday – Rally at the Mississippi Supreme Court
One of the most powerful moments of the weekend was gathering at the Mississippi Supreme Court for Carly’s appeal rally. The building itself stood tall and imposing, with its grand steps and columns, a place where decisions of immense consequence are made. Walking up those steps, dressed in our purple “Justice” shirts, I felt the weight of history and the importance of why we were there. We weren’t just a small group holding signs and handing out flyers, we were standing at the very heart of justice in Mississippi, demanding that Carly’s voice be heard. Speaking to locals, sharing her story, and pressing flyers into strangers’ hands felt deeply significant. Every conversation was a chance to plant a seed of awareness, to turn apathy into compassion, and to show that Carly’s case matters. What struck me most was the unity of our group. We weren’t intimidated by the grandeur of the building or the seriousness of the setting. Instead, it reminded us why we continue to fight, because within those walls, lives can be changed, families can be broken or mended, and justice can either be upheld or denied. To stand there, side by side with Carly’s family and supporters, was both humbling and empowering.
Friday Evening – Celebration of Life for Ashley
That evening, we came together in the park for a Celebration of Life for Ashley. It was a tender and moving gathering, filled with love, memories, and shared strength. Friends, family, and supporters spoke from the heart, offering prayers and stories that painted a picture of Ashley not just as a daughter, sister, and friend, but as a devoted mother to Carly.
The words shared were raw and real, reminders of her kindness, her resilience, and the love she poured into her family. Though grief hung in the air, so too did a sense of commitment, a collective promise to carry Ashley’s spirit forward, to protect Carly’s future, and to never let either of their names be forgotten. Handing out wildflower seeds felt deeply symbolic. Just as flowers take root and bloom where they are planted, so too will Ashley’s legacy continue to grow in the lives of those who love her. Each packet carried home was more than just a gesture, it was a way of saying, Ashley lives on in us, in Carly, and in the fight for justice that unites us all. As we stood together under the open sky, it was clear that this wasn’t just a remembrance. It was a celebration of the life Ashley lived, the love she gave, and the strength she instilled in those she left behind. And in that circle of shared grief and love, I felt a renewed commitment, to honor her memory not only with words but with action, and to keep walking beside Carly in the pursuit of justice.
Saturday – Family Visit Day
The next morning was Family Visit Day at the YOU. Over brunch, Carly’s family prepared for their visit with her. Watching their excitement was incredibly moving, these precious moments of connection mean everything. In the evening, we shared one last meal together, reflecting on the days behind us before heading toward the final journey home.
Sunday – The Journey Home
The journey back was long, another 24 hour, door to door trip from Jackson to Atlanta, and then onward to England. The exhaustion was real, but so was the sense of purpose, connection, and hope I carried with me. Every memory, every conversation, every tear and laugh over the weekend reminded me why we do this work, why we keep fighting, and why love and justice always matter.
Monday Morning – Arrived Home & Reflections
Arriving home on Monday morning, tired but fulfilled, gave me time to reflect on the weekend. Being in Mississippi was heavy and exhausting, but it was also profoundly meaningful. To walk alongside Carly’s family and Ashley’s loved ones, to pray together, to grieve together, and to hope together, this is what gives strength to the fight for justice. For me personally, this trip left a mark on my heart. Standing at Ashley’s resting place, I felt a connection that words can barely describe. Being in the park that evening, listening to people speak of her life, I felt the depth of her role as a mother, and the way her love for Carly continues to ripple through all of us. At the Supreme Court, I felt the enormity of what’s at stake, and yet also the strength of what’s possible when we refuse to give up.
I left Mississippi feeling tired in body but strengthened in spirit. I carried home not only memories, but also a renewed sense of purpose, to honor Ashley by supporting Carly, to keep telling their story, and to ensure that love, truth, and justice have the final word.
💜