~ Peter Marshall~

Brandon was shot and killed at the Hightower Station Plaza on MLK Jr. Drive SW after the Mays High School vs Douglass High School basketball game. Brandon was a senior at Riverwood High School, Atlanta, Ga. (His murder remains unsolved.)

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?....For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35a, 38-39.

Thank you Lord for giving me such a wonderful son who will always be "my bonus baby" and a gift from You. I will be eternally grateful for the love, joy, compassion, tenderness, humor and fantastic bear hugs he brought to my life in his brief 17 years. I now know that Brandon's life and legacy is being used as an instrument by You "to work all things together for the good of those who love You, who have been called according to Your purpose." Romans 8:28.

The warmth of his loving, joyous spirit is with me as he smiles in my heart. I miss Brandon so very much, so please, God, give him a kiss and hug for me, his Mama, until I am able to see him again in our eternal home in Heaven.

The evening sun went down, While it was yet day. The angels came and carried him away. We'll miss his loving smile, his warm and tender embrace. But we know the Lord has carried Brandon to a much better place. ~ Mabel B. Knuckles~ Brandon's Maternal Grandmother



Athlete, Leader, and Friend

When we start out as babies, we are small, helpless, ignorant and open to everything. As we grow, we learn to care for ourselves, we become more independent, we learn things and all this is good.

However, at the same time we tend to lose that open-mindedness. When one can't be open-minded to the people one lives around, it arouses feelings of hatred. This hate has caused us to lose a beautiful person. Every single one of us can help prevent that from happening. Love. That will help prevent violence. It doesn't matter what school you go to, what your race or religion is, what clothes you wear, your sexual preference...we are all human beings. Love people because they are different, love them because they are similar. Love them unconditionally, just because we all have one thing in common...LIFE.

Life is precious, love it. If everyone does their part, we can make a difference. Love a black person, love a white person...stop racism. Love a homosexual, love a heterosexual....stop discrimination of gays and lesbians. Love a freak, love a jock....stop clique discriminations. We can accomplish so much if we just stop the hatred.

Peace.

~ Zoe Brewer, Riverwood High School, Class 1996

"A Child of Mine"

I'll lend you for a little time,
A child of Mine" He said.

"For you to love the while he lives,
And mourn when he is dead.

It may be six or seven years
Or twenty two or three.

But will you, till I call him back,
Take care of him for Me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you,
And though his stay be brief,

You will have lovely memories
As solace for your grief.

"I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return.

But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.

I have looked the worldwide over
In my search for teachers true.

And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you.

Now will you give him all your love,
Nor think the labor vain,

Nor hate Me when I come to call
To take him back again?"

We fancied that we heard them say,
"Dear Lord Thy will be done!

For all the joys Thy child will bring,
The risk of grief we run.

We will shelter him with tenderness,
We will love him while we may,

And for the happiness we have now,
Forever grateful stay.

But shall the angels call for him
Much sooner than we planned,

We shall brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand."

~anonymous



Brandon always asked, "Am I your prettiest baby?" "Yes Brandon, you are the the prettiest."

Baseball was truly Brandon's heart. He started "T"-Ball when he was four. He played second base for Riverwood High School. He received the "Coaches Award" in 1993 and had the highest batting average in 1992.