A city's grief in stitches: Durham's homicide quilt to be retired
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Durham Homicide and Victims of Violent Death Memorial Quilt began in 1994 after a 4-year-old girl was shot and killed. Shaquanna Atwater would have turned 32 this year. For more than three decades, the quilt has served as a somber visual reminder of lives lost to gun violence in the city.
The quilt's creator, Sidney Brodie, has stitched the name of every gun violence victim in Durham since Shaquanna's death. He says the project has become increasingly difficult to carry on, both physically and emotionally.
"When I first got started stitching, I would not allow anybody to be in the room while I was stitching or painting the art," Brodie said. "I just wanted to be by myself."
Today, the quilt weighs hundreds of pounds, stretches more than 100 feet, and bears 1,111 names. Brodie adds each name within 24 hours of police identifying a homicide victim.
Even though they were taken from us too soon, they have an opportunity to still live throughout eternity because of this sacred art.- Bishop Ronald Godbee, The River Church
"The physical weight of it, along with the emotional weight. Oh gosh," he said. "I have my moments."
Through the years, the quilt has been displayed at anti-violence vigils and inside Durham County buildings. As it approaches retirement next year, its temporary home is The River Church at 4425 Ben Franklin Blvd., where it has been housed for the past month.
"These are people's sons, daughters, brothers and sisters, cousins, aunties, uncles, and friends," said Bishop Ronald Godbee, who opened the church to the quilt. He said it has become a source of healing for his congregation, with some members finding comfort in locating the names of their loved ones.
"Even though they were taken from us too soon, they have an opportunity to still live throughout eternity because of this sacred art," Godbee said.
The most recent name added was Michelle Keenan, a community advocate against gun violence who died last week after being shot inside her home in Oxford Manor. Police have not yet identified the shooter.
Brodie plans to officially retire the quilt in October 2027. It will no longer travel and will instead remain in one permanent location. He hopes someone in the community will eventually take up the work he has carried for decades.
"I have no doubt things are going to get better," he said. "I can't tell you when. Just got to keep at it."
ABC11 is tracking crime and safety across Durham and in your neighborhood
