In 2005, Joyce Littlefield was hit and killed by an drunk driving suspect on Highway 181 and Loop 1604.

The only reminder left on that stretch of road is a blue sign, erected as part of the Texas Department of Transportation's Memorial Sign Program.

However, Joyce's sign and 12 others in Bexar County are slated to come down in accordance with state law. The law stipulates the signs can only be up for two years.

"It's become a source of great comfort to our family to have it here," said Leslie G. Hutton, Joyce's brother. "I feel like the sign is still doing good work."

Hutton said he recently received a notice from TxDOT stating that the time limit for the sign has expired and will soon be taken down. The sign was placed near the site of the crash in 2009.

"Unfortunately, those signs do have to be removed," said Sam Aguirre, with the San Antonio division of TxDOT. "We just want to make sure that the families understand that TxDOT does sympathize with them, but this a legislative law, and we have to abide by the law."

For Joyce's family, however, the sign serves not only as a reminder to them, but also as a reminder to the man who allegedly caused the crash.

"I think every time this man has to drive by it, he has to shield his eyes from it to guard against the memory of the horrible thing he's done," Hutton said.

Hutton said the man who allegedly hit Joyce has yet to be arrested.

"We'd like to see it remain up, at least until her killer is apprehended and serves his time," Hutton said.

TxDOT says after the signs come down, they will be given back to the families or sponsors of those victims.

Aguirre also suggested the families take part in the state's Adopt-A-Highway program, since those signs can apply for renewal every two years.