Friends raising funds to help pay for Jaion Smith’s funeral
DARBY TOWNSHIP » For his 17th birthday on May 11, Jaion Smith’s mother asked him that morning where he wanted to go for his celebratory dinner.
All he wanted was a big pot of his mother’s homemade chicken/shrimp Alfredo.
Later that night, his mom, Keisha Sargent, posted pictures of that meal, as well as a birthday cake, on her Facebook page, along with the message, “My boy is one happy 17-year-old.”
Less than a month later, Sargent is planning the funeral for her beloved son, a rising senior and football player at Academy Park who was killed June 4 in a multicar accident on I-95 in Tinicum. Services are scheduled for June 16 at the African Baptist Church in Sharon Hill, with burial following in Eden Cemetery in Collingdale.
To help defray funeral expenses, a GoFundMe account has been established by Char Smith-Young, Jaion’s aunt, on behalf of Jaion’s mother, his father, Jason Smith, and other members of the Sargent/Smith families. The link is https:// www.gofundme.com/jaionsfuneral-service-ap-77.
“Our shining star’s light was dimmed on Sunday, June 4,” the paternal aunt wrote. “Jaion was a very humble kid, determined to succeed in academics, as well as football. The family and friends of Jaion are asking that you open your hearts and make a donation … Nothing is too small, blessings come in the form of giving.”
As of Friday afternoon, the GoFundMe page raised $4,910 of a $15,000 goal in two days.
According to cousin Karen Moseley, donations can also be made directly to the Claude Edney Funeral Home.
“Our shining star’s light was dimmed on Sunday, June 4. Jaion was a very humble kid, determined to succeed in academics, as well as football. The family and friends of Jaion are asking that you open your hearts and make a donation … Nothing is too small, blessings come in the form of giving.” — Char Smith-Young, Jaion’s aunt