Celebration of life, funeral services for slain children, soldier set

Funeral arrangements have been made for the four people, including three young siblings, who were killed in a domestic shooting Tuesday, March 21, in Sumter.

Aayden Jahari Holliday-Slacks died at age 5. He attended Millwood Elementary School with Aason Makai Holliday-Slacks, who died at age 6. Ava Jazlynn Holliday died at age 11. She attended Alice Drive Middle School.

"It is with great sadness, Aletha Holliday announces the passing of her beloved children," a Facebook post "from the family" on the mother's business page stated Friday afternoon. "As we come together in remembrance of these beautiful and vibrant children who left an imprint on their hearts and minds of those who heard their laughter and felt their presence."

The viewing will be held on Thursday, March 30, at Job's Mortuary, 312 S. Main St., in Sumter, according to the death notices for all three children that are in The Sumter Item's March 25-28 weekend edition. After a private viewing for family, a public viewing will be held from 2 to 7 p.m.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday at 1 p.m. at Christ Community Church, 320 Loring Mill Road, according to the mother's business page on Facebook.

Police say Aayden and Aason's father, Charles Edward Slacks Jr., was the shooter in a murder-suicide that claimed the lives of the three children and an Army co-worker of the mother, U.S. Army Central Soldier Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Evans.

Holliday, the mother, is the sole survivor of the shooting.

Aayden was born in West Point, New York. Aason was born in Honolulu, Oahu.

Ava, daughter of Holliday and Andre Rush, was born in Overland Park, Kansas.

To honor the children, the family is requesting attendees "celebrate their life with colorful attire."

Those unable to attend can view the celebration of life service on Job's Mortuary's Facebook page.

U.S. Army Central Soldier Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Evans

A friend of Evans shared on Facebook that a homegoing celebration is in early planning stages for his brother in arms.

"By now, many of you are aware of the passing of our bro, CSM Carlos Evans. On behalf of his wife, Alfreida Evans, and the family, I ask that you all keep his family lifted in your prayers as they continue to process this tragedy," wrote William H. Black, a command sergeant major at the 6th Squadron of the 1st Cavalry Regiment in the Army.

Black shared that Evans' homegoing celebration will take place in his hometown of Petersburg, Virginia; the date and time are to be determined.

"Final arrangements are forthcoming, and the family and his unit will publish the details once final. Please respect his wife, Free, daughter, Journey Evans, and their family at this time," Black wrote.

Evans joined the Army in July 2002 and served in multiple duty positions and locations around the globe until joining USARCENT in 2021, according to ARCENT Public Affairs.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War Against Terror Expeditionary and Service Medals, Kuwait Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge and Expert Marksmanship Badge - Rifle.

A USARCENT representative told The Sumter Item it will hold a private memorial service on Wednesday.