Celebration Church in North Hill will hold a prayer vigil at 6 p.m. Sunday for the Akron family in the fatal fire on East Tallmadge Avenue.
Church leaders also invite people who want to send well wishes and cards to the only surviving child — 12-year-old Shaniya Wallis — to do so through the church. Shaniya’s two younger sisters, Aniyla Riley, 9, and Shanice Riley, 8, died in the fire. So did their mother, Shirley Wallis, and her partner, Omar Riley.
The Rev. Zach and Heather Prosser said the family started attending their church several years ago and the children were especially loved by the congregation. “They were just sweet, tender-hearted girls,” Heather Prosser said.
Shirley Wallis and the three girls had last been to church Wednesday for their Night of Hope program. Omar Riley couldn’t attend, but linked into the program on live social media, Heather Prosser said.
Cards can be sent to Celebration Church, 688 Dan St., Akron, OH 44130.