Orange County, Fla.—A community in West Orange County is struggling to come to terms with a profound tragedy after Takeshia Renee Eads, a mother and grandmother deeply embedded in her local church community, was reportedly killed in a domestic violence incident. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has since arrested her husband, Lamar Bryant, 41, on charges of first-degree murder in connection with her death, which occurred on Tuesday.
Eads is remembered by her family as a cornerstone of love and generosity, someone who prioritized her faith and her family above all else. “It was God first, her kids, and her family. She would give the shirt off her back to anybody,” her eldest daughter, Cordeja Paige, said.
In the wake of the tragedy, Paige is bravely turning her personal loss into a public message about the dangers of domestic violence. She urges those experiencing similar situations to seek safety and prioritize their well-being. “It’s not going to get better. So, it doesn’t matter how much you love the person or how much you feel like the person is going to change, it’s not going to happen. And if you do have kids, think about your kids first,” Paige said.
Her call to action is underscored by alarming national statistics that reveal the pervasive nature of domestic violence: 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience domestic violence during their lifetimes. This widespread issue demands immediate attention and preventative measures.
Local organizations play a crucial role in providing support and resources for victims. Harbor House of Central Florida, led by CEO Michelle Sperzel, is a notable entity in the area, providing refuge and assistance to approximately 5,000 Orange County residents each year. “If someone is fearful for their life, and they know that something has changed, or they are saying to themselves, if I don’t leave now, he is going to kill me or she is going to kill me. That is exactly why our emergency shelter is there,” Sperzel explained.
Harbor House’s emergency shelter offers a safe haven for about a thousand individuals annually and plays an essential role in the survival of those escaping domestic violence. The availability of around-the-clock support through their hotline as well as the national domestic violence hotline ensures that help is just a phone call away, providing a lifeline to those in dire need.
In sharing her mother’s story, Paige hopes not only to honor her mother’s memory but also to ignite change and prevent further tragedies by encouraging victims to seek help before it is too late. Her message reflects a vital call to action: awareness, proactive intervention, and accessible support systems are key in the battle against domestic violence.