Ahmaud Arbery’s mother to keep candlelight vigil 1 year after his death

Ahmaud Arberyher mother wants to do something special for her son to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of his death … so she organizes a public candlelight vigil.

Wanda Cooper-Jones tells TMZ … Ahmaud’s family gathers on February 23 at his final resting place – New Springfield Baptist Church in Waynesboro, GA – for the event.

Wanda says they are asking everyone to wear a blue ribbon in a show of solidarity and in remembrance of what happened. She says blue was Ahmaud’s favorite color.

As we reported, the 25-year-old was killed on February 23, 2020 while jogging in Brunswick, GA, but it was only graphic video of the incident emerged in May that Ahmaud’s death had grabbed national headlines and sparked a claim for justice.

Almost 3 months after the murder, Travis and Gregory McMichael wash arrested and charged with murder in Ahmaud’s murder … with alleged accomplice William “Roddy” Bryan.

As the anniversary approaches, Wanda says she’s overwhelmed by the thought of how her son died – and it’s a reminder that her son will never return.

This past weekend, she remembered that she and Ahmaud went to a barbershop together on February 13, 2020 – and this, of course, seems to be the last time.

We are also told that the family is in the process of founding a foundation in honor of Ahmaud – something separate from the 2.23 foundation … which is not affiliated with the family.