Blog

Aug 23, 2023

'Love Has No Color': Remembering the late Twila Robinson

Family, friends and members of the community gathered at T.B. McPherson Park in southeast Gainesville on Saturday to celebrate the life of the late Twila Robinson-Browder. The event was titled, “Twila

Family, friends and members of the community gathered at T.B. McPherson Park in southeast Gainesville on Saturday to celebrate the life of the late Twila Robinson-Browder.

The event was titled, “Twila Love Fest,” and the recurring theme was, “Love Has No Color.”

Some attendees wore white shirts with photos of Robinson-Browder to remember her legacy.

The love fest was created by Robinson-Browder’s mother, Felicia Carnegie-Parker.

“The words from the speakers touched my heart deeply,” Carnegie-Parker said. “It was an honor for them to be a part of it. My heart melted. I’m so grateful.”

Carnegie-Parker currently resides in Ruffin, South Carolina, and she thanked Dekova Batey for his assistance with coordinating the event.

She said it was important to host an event that had Robinson-Browder’s favorite things, like showing love to God and having favorite colors pink and purple decorated throughout the park.

“She loved the Lord and gave her life to Christ,” Carnegie-Parker. “If she was living, she would be rejoicing. I know she’s looking down on us and is saying, ‘Ma, you’re doing the right thing.”

Robinson-Browder was 44 when she died in a car crash on Interstate 75 on June 21, 2018. She was hit on the driver's side of her car, which flipped twice into trees on the highway as she was on her way to UF Health Shands Hospital, where she worked in the emergency room.

Robinson-Browder was born in Gainesville and raised in Williston for the majority of her life. She graduated from Eastside High School in 1990.

Afterwards, she became a correctional officer at a juvenile detention center in Ocala and graduated from a braiding school in Ocala, where she received a certificate for braiding.

She also worked at Tacachale for five years in Gainesville.

Larry Parker, Carnegie-Parker’s husband, said he remembers the loving spirit of Robinson-Browder.

“I got to know her like she’s my own daughter,” Parker said. “We don’t know why God does what he does, but we thank God for the time we spent. This is a wonderful event for the community to come together as one and sharing love with one another.”

The event featured a proclamation reading by Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward; a mime dance by SOLDCHYLD; and a speech from Miss Florida Gator 2023 Imari Harris.

The vendors at the event were All Jew’led Up, Community Weatherization Coalition, Kona Ice, Lady B’s Cafe and Confections, and Tee Tee’s Tea.

“That’s the purpose of this event: We take that spirit of love back to our communities,” Ward said. “Never forget why we’re here.”

Local sports:Who was the top Gainesville-area athlete this week? Vote here for athlete of the week

There was an opening prayer by Lashanda Mozell, who thanked God for love and the life of Robinson-Browder.

“Teach each and every person here to show love,” Mozell said. “Let love penetrate us and give us understanding of your life. We thank you for the love that embraces us and we thank you for the legacy of Twila.”

Harris said events like "Twila Love Fest" are a great way for the community to come together for a great cause.

“I wanted to come out and support,” Harris said. “My purpose is to give back to the community. Losing a loved one is hard and to have a mother turn it into something special for the community is beautiful.”