Williamstown resident Darius Boyer drowned while swimming with friends in July 2015.
MONROE TWP. -- Linda Williams doesn't want to be alone on July 2. That date marks the one-year anniversary of her son's drowning death.
The Williamstown community has rallied to honor Darius Boyer's memory on several occasions in the last year.
Darius Boyer (Photo provided by Linda Williams)Williams accepted her son's diploma June 17 following the Williamstown High School Class of 2016 graduation ceremony.
She will return to the high school football field this Saturday at 6 p.m. to join with friends in remembering Darius.
The evening will include a balloon release, candles and attendees blowing bubbles.
A friend suggested the bubbles, Williams said, as a way of "blowing kisses up to Heaven."
Several hundred have already indicated they plan to attend, including friends, classmates and members of the Williamstown football team.
Mom accepts diploma for late son
"I need a little something to help me get through that day," Williams said. "I don't want to sit by myself. I want to share it with the people who have been there for me all year. My main purpose is to love and remember Darius in any way that I can."
Many of Darius' classmates greeted Williams on graduation day, offering their support and memories of her son.
In the last 12 months, she has accepted hugs and condolences from complete strangers who knew her son and have now become part of her support network.
"I want to get through this day without it tearing me apart," she said. "It will give me some sort of peace in my mind and I will be surrounded by the people who care."
To ensure her son's legacy lives on, Williams wants to establish a memorial scholarship. Anyone wishing to donate to the scholarship will have a chance to do so at Saturday's event.
"I've been trying to figure out a positive way to remember him," she said. "His memory doesn't have to die."
Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.