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TUSCALOOSA — One by one, the names of this city’s 43 tornado victims were read through a microphone.

The words echoed loudly Wednesday night across the lawn at Government Plaza; memories of the fallen running through adjacent streets.

Rows of black chairs were placed in front of a stage where family members mourned. A white banner hung above that read “Spirit of Tuscaloosa” for Wednesday’s candlelight vigil meant to remember the dead, honor first-responders and to turn focus toward rebuilding the city.

People gripped candles. Some wept as a video montage of the April 27 tornado was replayed on two huge video screens.

The EF-4 tornado killed regardless of age, race or religion. From 2-month-old Caiden Blair to 95-year-old Mozelle Lancaster, every slice of life was touched.

Two more names were added to the list Wednesday just hours before the candlelight vigil, the first names added since May 4.

Arielle Edwards, 22, died Wednesday in the intensive care unit at DCH Regional Medical Center from tornado related injuries, Tuscaloosa city officials said. She had been with her 5-year-old daughter, Makayla Edwards, who died the night of the tornado. Their names were read appropriately aloud back-to-back.

William Robert McPherson, 85, died May 29 due to tornado related injuries, city officials said. He lived in the heavily damaged Forest Lake subdivision.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox spoke to reporters an hour before as volunteers gathered to hand out bottled water, candles and houndstooth bracelets with the words “Spirit of Tuscaloosa” in red.

“It sort of struck me that of all days for our fatality list to increase, but in some ways it’s appropriate because we are honoring all of those who have lost so much tonight,” Maddox said. “I think each time a name is added it hurts us deeply, and it inspires us to continue to do more so that we can rebuild the city in such a way so we can honor them.”

Maddox said it is possible the list of names could increase with five people still missing and one victim in critical care.

Overall, the mayor said he wanted the vigil to send a message of hope to the people in attendance that the city can endure and overcome one of the darkest days in its history.

“I really want tonight to be that spirit of resiliency and hope that we’ve had in the 35 days since April 27,” Maddox said. “And I think it’s right and it’s just that we honor those who have fallen. And I think it is also right and just that we celebrate the fact that we have survived this, and that out of this we have new heroes on which to build the foundation of a new city.”

Tina McCullough fought off tears as she remembered her grandmother’s life.

Lola Pitts, 85, was found near the remains of her Alberta City home one day after the tornado grabbed her house, flung it across 30th Avenue and transformed it into what McCullough said “looked like a box of matches.” Her body was discovered the next day by family members.

“I actually went by her house to get to my dad’s for the storm,” McCullough said. “I talked to her on the way. My husband talked to her after we found out the tornado was on the ground and he said to get in the hallway. She said she was scared.”

Wednesday’s vigil helped many with the grieving process, including McCullough.

“It’s just nice someone thought to do something like this,” McCullough said. “This is awesome. I think it’s really great what they did.”

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