Sons vow to ‘continue to share love’ after mother’s stabbing death

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A family is mourning the loss of their mother, who was stabbed to death in Grand Rapids one week ago.

Lavonia Parham, 54, was on the morning of Nov. 6 along S. Division Avenue in the Heartside neighborhood. On the day of the killing, Chief Eric Winstrom with the Grand Rapids Police Department described it as a domestic situation. A witness told News 8 that a man and woman were seen arguing before the man stabbed her repeatedly and then turned the knife on himself.

Police: Woman stabbed to death in Grand Rapids

Two of Parham's sons, Ricky and Anthony, told News 8 that Parham was a loving mother whose smile they miss dearly.

"Anybody you talk to about her would let you know that she's the sweetest, loving, caring person that you know," Anthony Parham said. "It's hard to see her without a smile, that's what I remember most. I don't remember the gruesome things that happen, I want to remember the love that she gave, everything she taught us."

Michael Rose, 60, has been charged with open murder and carrying a concealed weapon as a fourth-time habitual offender after police say he stabbed Lavonia Parham to death in downtown Grand Rapids last week.

Rose was taken to the hospital in critical condition after stabbing himself repeatedly, police said. He remained in the hospital Tuesday under the guard of Kent County sheriff's deputies.

Even with the charges Anthony and Ricky Parham say nothing will ever bring closure now that their mother is gone.

"It doesn't help the pain at all, it's not bringing her back. Can't hear her love no more, her voice, 'Pumpkin,' you know the words, nicknames, can't hear the nicknames she gave everybody no more, certain things we are going to miss," Ricky Parham said.

The Parham brothers say they'll continue to spread their mother's message of love.

"We wish we could have you back, you know how much we love you. Anything we can do to keep your name alive; we are going to keep being the strong boys, strong men that you raised and that you are in our lives, and we will continue share positivity and love and light on others, we miss you a lot," Anthony said. "It's all about moving forward and just try to make sure we do the right thing. You know we can't bring them back but we can make them proud."

was set up to help support Lavonia's family.