Photo Courtesy of National Pan-Hellenic Council of Columbus Georgia/Facebook
Three family members died in a car crash after leaving their 15-year-old family member’s high school football game last week in Thomasville, Georgia.
Parents, 45-year-old Byron Jakes, 43-year-old Katrina Jakes and their 10-year-old Kamryn Jakes, left the 15-year-old Braylon Jakes’ football game for Carver High School. Braylon rode the bus back to school with his teammates.
Unfortunately, Byron, Katrina and Kamryn were killed after a car swerved into their lane, causing a head-on collision.
“My babies, those were my babies, but I have Braylon to love on, “Jacqueline Jakes, Braylon’s grandmother, told WTVM. “I have to be strong for him.”
Jacqueline said Braylon was focused on distracting himself during this tragic time.
“Braylon is hanging in there right now,” she said. “He’s doing fine. He’s laughing and happy right now. His football team was out here yesterday, and they had such a fun time. He joked around and played. Right now, he’s doing ok.”
Family friend Tamika Huff-Johnson described, to WTVM, her best friend Katrina.
“She was such a sweet, kind person,” Huff-Johnson said. “She just lights up a room when she walks in. She has that aura about her. She’s just special. Kamryn had that same special glow about her… You just couldn’t help but smile. Just great people… Byron the same, just straight to the point. You knew how he felt because he was going to tell you straight.”
According to a Facebook post from the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Columbus, Georgia, Byron was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and Katrina was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
The post asked those who were a part of the Divine 9 to donate to Braylon’s Cashapp ($Brayj23).
A funeral service has been planned and will take place on Saturday, Oct. 22, at Christ Community Church on Milgen Road in Columbus, Georgia, at 3 p.m.
Katrina also left behind an older song named Brian.