About 30 relatives and friends remembered the six Crawford family members who died in the arson.

By KATIE SEMINARA

About 30 relatives and friends remembered the six Crawford family members who died in the arson.

YOUNGSTOWN — An empty, snow-covered lot where the Crawford family home used to stand was as still as the people holding photo collages of the six family members who died one year ago.

On Jan. 23, 2008, the Crawford kids — Ranaisha, 8; Jeannine, 5; Aleisha, 3; and Brandon, 2 — perished in a deliberately set fire at 1645 Stewart Ave., along with their mother, Jennifer, and grandmother Carol.

A small group of family and friends gathered Friday for a vigil at the site of the fire.

“I can’t believe it’s been a year,” said Shannon Gregory of Youngstown, a longtime friend of Carol Crawford’s.

“It seems like just yesterday I was standing here telling Ranaisha her nickname was Bubbles.

“And she said, ‘My name isn’t Bubbles, it’s Ranaisha,’” said Gregory, managing to let out a little laugh.

Ranaisha got the nickname because as a baby she was known to blow a lot of bubbles, she said.

Jennifer Crawford’s sister and brother, Retia and Julius Crawford, and three others managed to escape the fire.

The blaze was deliberately set by 18-year-old Michael A. Davis, who was sentenced in October to 310 years in prison for six aggravated murders and 13 aggravated arsons.

“It will never get easier; it’s always going to hurt,” said Retia at the vigil.

“Words will never explain the way we feel,” she said.

She was surrounded by a group of about 30 who prayed and received words of encouragement from the Rev. Lewis Macklin, pastor of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church.

The Rev. Mr. Macklin encouraged the group to honor the Crawfords by following a path of love.

It’s always important to remember forgiveness and that forgiving helps with the healing process, Mr. Macklin said.

During a moment of silence for the family, the only sound to be heard was the winter wind whipping through the trees. Tears rolled down the chilled cheeks of supporters as hugs were exchanged.

“We want to thank everyone for their prayers,” said Retia’s sister, Sharon Frenzley.

The community support and sympathy during the past year were very much appreciated, she said.

Both Retia and Frenzley extended thoughts and prayers to other families suffering their own tragedies.