Friends and family plan to gather at St. Joseph Miracle Revival Center to honor Octavia Shaw.
The 23 year old was killed March 17, 2012 in a car accident. She was almost home, having driven back to Red Springs from North Carolina Central University in Durham for her brother's birthday party. Her brother was a soldier and had not been home in two years.
But when Octavia turned in to park in front of her mother's home she was struck by a pickup truck going 55 mph, the posted speed limit on Old Lowery Road. The impact flipped Octavia's car and sent it more than 50 feet across the street.
Octavia's mother, Audrey McLean described finding her child after the crash.
"When I came over here, she was from the driver's side to the passenger's side in a sitting position, and she was dead. I knew it when I got there. I could just see it. And there was nothing I could do for her," Octavia's mother, Audrey McLean said. "That was the worst day of my life. The worst day."
In her short life, Octavia touched many lives. More than a thousand people packed St. Joseph Miracle Revival Center for Octavia's funeral.
"If you had an Octavia moment you were blessed. You were really blessed," McLean said.
On the one year anniversary of her death, loved ones will begin at the church and walk each step to the crash site, now a memorial to the young lady.
In December, Octavia's mother returned to NCCU to accept her daughter's diploma. Octavia was on her way to becoming a social worker.
"As I approached the stage they gave her a standing ovation. All I could do was just look up because I felt like she was carrying me across that stage. I felt her presence there," McLean said.
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