VIDALIA — Angela Booker’s son may no longer be with her on Earth, but she is not worried about where he is spending eternity.

“I know he is in heaven,” Booker said Wednesday night to a crowd of about 60 supporters who gathered in Vidalia at a “Save Our Streets” rally in remembrance of her son, Derec Dobbins, who was shot and killed last week.

Dobbins, 24, affectionately called Beedy by friends and family, died in the early morning of Aug. 28 after being shot during an argument on Davis Street. Vincent Dotson, 20, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder shortly after the shooting.

Booker said she made sure her son knew the Lord because that is a parent’s obligation to their children.

Booker urged parents in the audience to teach their children to love, respect and be kind to others. But above all, she said, teach them the Lord’s way.

“When you come before God, and your children aren’t saved and you haven’t done right by them, that’s on you,” she said.

Vidalia Alderman Tron McCoy said it is also a community’s job to look after its children. McCoy reminisced his days growing up in Vidalia, days, he said, when everybody looked out for everybody else.

McCoy made it to Davis Street shortly after the shooting last week.

“I saw Beedy’s lifeless body laying there, and I thought, ‘Oh Lord, what are we coming to?’ The most innocent of us are dying in these streets that I grew up in,” he said.

McCoy called on parents to know where their children are and what they are doing. He reminded the young people that there is a way off the streets.

“Education is key,” he said. “It may not guarantee you a job, but it will guarantee you an opportunity.”

Retired educator Rosa Demby said those who receive an education will get a job more times than not.

“Education is certainly the key that unlocks the door to a successful life, a prosperous life,” she said.

A child’s education is “everybody’s business,” Demby said.

“The community, the school, the pastors, the deacons, the mothers,” she said. “Everybody.”

Demby implored young people to do whatever is necessary to get their education.

“Stay in your books, go forward, listen to your parents and teachers and really, really try to make it,” she said. “Do yourself a favor, and get an education.”

Educator Margaret Mays spoke of self-respect for young men and women in the way they dress and act. Mays asked young people to remember Dobbins when they are tempted to do something they should not do.

“Let them drink their beer; let them smoke their weed — walk away,” Mays said. “Don’t let Derec’s death be in vain. Let something good come from it. Every time somebody tempts you, say, ‘no.’ Say, ‘I’m not going to do it. I won’t let Derec’s death be for nothing.’”

Vidalia Assistant Police Chief Bruce Wiley said he wanted to remind the community that the Vidalia Police Department stands for unity and exists to serve every resident of Vidalia.

“It’s not a black and white thing; this is our community,” he said. “It’s not our police department; it’s yours.”

Booker asked that parents be an example to their children.

“If you’re out doing something that you shouldn’t, you’re not going to get any respect at home,” she said.

And in hard times, seek the Lord’s help, Booker said.

“Pray and ask God to give you understanding. He will,” she said. “I know because I have it.”

Booker reminded those in attendance that they do not have to know the Bible word for word to be an example, but they do need to “talk the talk and walk the walk.”

“Your life might be the only Bible someone sees — what are you showing for somebody to see?”