Milwaukee family uses billboard to remember loved one

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Folks will always remember 18-year-old Ashawnti Terry’s face. It is plastered on a billboard close to thirty fifth and Capitol.

“It is a pleasure to essentially journey previous her and see her good reminiscences,” Shawn Terry mentioned. He’s Ashawnti’s father. 

Thursday, Could 6, 2021, Terry and her pal have been killed in a automobile crash close to 91st and Bradley. Police say she misplaced management of the automobile and rear-ended a truck.

“It is so unreal. She had simply received again from out of city, she went to Miami, her and her cousins and I did not get an opportunity to see her when she received again.

Terry mentioned he loves driving previous the billboard.

“I wave at her and blow her a kiss.”

August Schober is the proprietor of the billboard. It is his first memorial advert. 

“After I hung it and stepped again to take a look at it, it turned out completely wonderful,” Schober mentioned. 

Ashawnti’s photograph is a component of a bigger dialog. Households who’ve loss their family members to reckless driving or homicide also can use a billboard as a memorial.

“These adverts are particularly vital as a relentless reminder issues want to vary. The violence wants to vary. Change begins with us, it would not begin with another person. It begins with everybody all collectively,” Schober mentioned.

As of the Terry household, they’re hoping her smile provides hope to make a distinction in your group. 

They’re planning a balloon launch close to the billboard on Could 6, marking one yr since her passing.