Sarah’s Girls

My name is James Jackson III. My sister was Sarah A. Jackson. Sarah died on September 7th Labor Day in Lawrenceville, GA. Sarah’s youngest daughter (9 years old) was wading in the lake with others, unfortunately there was a drop off point nearby. She went underwater and Sarah attempted to reach her. Sarah ingested too much water and went under herself. Others who were nearby were able to pull Sarah’s 9 year old to safety and were able to successfully perform CPR on her. During this life saving effort, Sarah was still underwater for about 5 minutes. Good Samaritans were able to pull Sarah from the water and preform CPR on her for 10 minutes before the ambulance arrived. Sarah was not responsive to the life saving efforts from the Good Samaritans. Sarah was transported to the hospital and her four daughters followed in Sarah’s vehicle. Sarah’s oldest daughter is not an experienced driver and was very brave to drive her sisters under such stressful conditions. Upon arrival to the hospital, the doctors worked on Sarah vigorously as she “code blued” several times. Sarah’s girls arrived shortly thereafter and were able to enter the room to witness their mother being worked on by the doctors. A close friend of Sarah’s arrived and was able to provide comfort to the girls. After seeing too much to ever forget, the younger children were sent into the hallway. Sarah’s oldest child remained in the room sobbing as she gave me a description of the events that were unfolding before her eyes. The doctors told her that there was nothing more they could do. The oldest child did not want to give up on her mother, because her mother never gave up on her when she was a premature baby fighting for her life and needing multiple surgeries thereafter, along with needing a breathing tube for many years. She didn’t want to give up on her mother, despite the doctors telling her that Sarah was gone. The younger girls in the hallway were informed of their mother’s death and drove home alone with Sarah’s friend following behind. Sarah’s friend could not stay with the girls overnight, due to having her own family to get back to. Why wasn’t anyone else called? The girls were in shock, so thinking clearly was not possible. I was in the process of preparing to depart Washington State for Atlanta. I arrived Tuesday afternoon. The back story on why this tragedy occurred must be told. On Sunday morning September 6th, Sarah took her oldest daughter to work. Sarah’s 11 year old wanted to tag along and fell asleep in the back seat.  After Sarah dropped off the oldest child, Sarah was robbed by three masked gunman in Atlanta. They took her purse, all of the purse’s contents and her cell phone. The robbers never noticed the sleeping child in the back seat. Sarah was unharmed and unnerved (she was a tough woman). Sarah had planned to go to Savannah, Georgia  for Labor Day. Due to the theft, Sarah had no identification, cash or credit cards to travel with, so the trip was canceled. In an attempt to cheer up her girls and get out of the house, she elected to go to the lake. Going to the Lake was not out of the ordinary for Sarah and the girls, however, it was a last minute idea to liven the girl’s spirits. Unfortunately for Sarah, she lost her life being exactly what she was  (and always had been), a good mother! Sarah is a hero on so many levels.  Sarah lost her mother at the age of 2, as a result of suicide and never had a loving non abusive gaurdian thereafter. Sarah would  suffer another tragedy in 2006 when our oldest brother committed suicide (Yes, this is all true!). Sarah suffered many injustices as a child. Sarah tried in vain to show her children a better life. Sarah was a single parent living under the poverty line for many years. Sarah was very independent and did not like to ask for assistance. Sarah’s youngest girls have minor health problems related to the respiratory system. Sarah’s oldest daughter will always need to be monitored closey concerning her narrow airways that can become restricted for a multitude of reasons at anytime.  Sarah’s girls are ages  9, 11, 13 and 20. Please help me to provide a fresh start for my nieces, who will be forever scarred by the tragic events that occurred on Labor Day September 7th, 2020. 

Sincerely, 

James Jackson III