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'Keeping her spirit alive': Bolingbroke Christmas parade honors 9-month-old daughter of slain mother

Na'Lani will be crowned Honorary Little Miss Christmas Bolingbroke. She will get to ride in the parade, and receive donated gifts from the community.

BOLINGBROKE, Ga. — Do you remember your first Christmas? Do you have cute memories from your child's first time receiving presents?

The Bolingbroke Community Club is working to create a special first Christmas for one infant, 9-month-old Na'Lani Proctor.

Her mother is Toriyahna Proctor, who was found strangled at Lake Juliette back in March.

Her boyfriend, Jadarius Watts, is charged with murdering her.

The folks in Bolingbroke are still in mourning, remembering her legacy.

'Tori did so much for the parents and children in this community by taking care of them down at Little Angels Daycare," says Brandy Bankston-Boynton.

Now, she and Greggory Phillips, the Bolingbroke Community Club co-presidents, are working to take care of Tori's child.

The Bolingbroke Christmas Parade is Saturday, and Na'Lani will be crowned the first Honorary Little Miss Christmas Bolingbroke.

"This is our way to show that it really takes a community to raise a child," says Phillips

They say she'll ride in the parade, and she will receive a  bunch of gifts that the community has donated to her.

"It's her first Christmas, so why not go above and beyond for her?" says Phillips.

They say many folks have brought in gifts for Na'Lani because they are a close-knit community. 

"It's something she may not remember, but we hope the memories for her family and the photos that we can take and provide for her will be a lasting memory for her," says Bankston-Boynton.

Her friends and coworkers at Little Angels Daycare are still heavily mourning the loss of Tori.

"For people to be still acknowledging her and her daughter, it's heartwarming. Her name will forever live on through her daughter. That's just so comforting," says Khaliyah Alexander with tears.

Alexander was close friends with Tori, and she says she had known her for several years. 

"She was so fun. She loved to dance and laugh. Dancing and laughing was her thing," she says describing Tori.

 Alexander says to see people supporting Na'Lani is amazing. 

 "She deserves it, she needs that right now," says Alexander

Everyone on staff, says they can't wait to see the Little Miss in the parade.

"She just looks so much like Tori, and you can tell they're just keeping her spirit alive, and the community is. I just hope that she has a phenomenal Christmas," says Megan Moore.

"I hope that she has the biggest, best first Christmas, because she's only going to have one first Christmas. I know she's going to be so beautiful in that parade," adds Alexander.

The Proctor family says they're very grateful for all the support from the community during this time. 

You can support Na'Lani and see Santa in the Bolingbroke Christmas Parade on Saturday starting at 11 a.m.

Phillips says you can still help give Na'Lani a special Christmas by bringing wrapped gifts to the club at 9 a.m. Saturday before the parade.

The parade will include food, and refreshments from the local businesses like Southern Charm, Pinky's Shaved Ice, and Blanche Farm Meats, and others.

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