A somber reminder of the toll of domestic violence was held in Berks County Thursday evening.

Since 1999, Berks Women in Crisis has counted 36 domestic violence deaths in Berks County.

Loved ones gathered to remember one of those lives cut short.

Family and friends prayed and lit candles outside the GoggleWorks in Reading to remember the life of Cheryl Okafor.

Police said Cheryl and her husband arrived at a home in the 300 block of Pear Street in Reading for a family visit on Sunday last month.

Shortly after, Cheryl was shot and killed by her husband, Dr. Dubem Okafor, who then turned the gun on himself.

Loved ones, especially Cheryl's church family from New Hope Baptist, said they will never forget.

"We help with the repass," said Caryolyn Bouknight. "We go out. We visit. We have prayer. You know, just things that you do when you're a church member."

Close friends used the service to speak out against domestic violence.

"So not enough men are speaking out against abuse, against violence of all kinds," said professor Joe Ampery. "So as we celebrate the wonderful things that Cheryl did for us, lets reach out and we can stop this kind of violence from taking place in the future."

Images of Cheryl were on display at the candlelight vigil. The purpose of the exposition was to show how Cheryl had already once overcome domestic violence.

The photographer who took the images explained the intensity and the purpose of the photo shoot, which was put on display at the GoggleWorks.

"Some of the images you see, there's a bit of pride after all of this, a bit of an accomplishment, and getting through something that was quite powerful and traumatizing; something very poignant in her life," said Kevin Brett.

Cheryl Okafor was heavily involved in teaching kids helping the less fortunate children in Reading.

It's a legacy the loved ones will remember always.