The Little Rock Church in the Delafield area of Bowling Green dates back to the 1890s when it was created by local Presbyterian missionaries. The church’s bell has been rung in celebration and in mourning for well over a century.

It rang again on Friday, sounding in remembrance of individuals who died in 2025 while experiencing homelessness as their memories were honored by the local aid group HOTEL Inc.

“Every person we honor today mattered deeply,” organization head Karen Foley said during the memorial ceremony. “Each life holds value, and each person has left an imprint on this world.”

Candles were lit honoring the lives of those lost:

• Marty Ann Abrahms, who died Jan. 20;
• Floyd Hayes, born Feb. 11, 1955, and died Jan. 21;
• Howard Glenn Gann, born Oct. 11, 1962, and died Feb. 19;
• Charles Kerr, born Aug. 14, 1973, and died March 24;
• Brian Morgan, born Sept. 5, 1968, and died Oct. 22, and;
• Eugene Moyer, whose birth and death dates were not listed.

A seventh candle was lit as well, representing “those whose names are unknown to us.”

Foley spoke after the ceremony on the importance of honoring those who passed away while experiencing homelessness. She said oftentimes, there is a lot of “othering” that happens with regard to the homeless.

“I think it’s a way to honor the dignity of those who once lived among us,” she said. “I think that first and foremost.”

The candles were lit by several of HOTEL Inc.’s community navigators. Harold Bucy, one of the navigators, led attendees in a prayer.

“We stand in community today, united in memory and compassion,” he prayed. “As we light candles and speak names, we remember those whose stories ended too soon.”

Honors were also extended to Danny Carothers, a long-time community leader who worked with HOTEL Inc. and many other local groups, who passed away in January at age 63.

Speaking on the impact Carothers had on her organization, Foley described Carothers as a “friend, a coach, a mentor, an advocate and a helper.”

“(He) did everything, from driving people and groceries in a van to serving on boards to simply extending love and understanding,” she said.”

Rebecca Troxell, the organization’s operations director, read a poem after the candle lighting. The poem is called “The Street Is My Home,” and was penned by an unknown author.

Hope was present throughout the ceremony. A white Christmas tree stood inside the church, adorned with 108 silver and gold-colored jingle bells, each one representing a person who obtained housing and worked with HOTEL Inc. from January through the end of November.

Six more bells were added after the ceremony for the six additional people who obtained housing in December.

Closing the ceremony, Foley reminded attendees of the importance of remembering these individuals.

“Speaking the names is important,” Foley said. ” … If you have those stories, tell them to somebody, because it is important that each of us is remembered.”