The Ripley, Mississippi community is grieving the sudden loss of Jada Johnson Lawrence, a former Ripley Lady Tigers basketball player whose death has left her family, friends, and former teammates completely devastated.
Jada played for the Lady Tigers from 2013 to 2017 and was part of the team that made it all the way to the state championship game in 2017, a run that the program has not forgotten.
She leaves behind her husband Jeramie Rod’Drekus Lawrence and their three young sons.
The Ripley Lady Tigers Basketball program broke the news on social media, writing that they were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of their own.
“Jada was a Lady Tiger from 2013 to 2017 where she helped guide her team to the state championship game in 2017. She will always be remembered for her infectious smile and doing whatever was asked of her. Please keep her family, her husband, her three precious babies, and this community in your prayers,” the program wrote.
Beyond basketball, Jada was described by everyone who knew her as someone whose personality filled a room.
Her smile was the detail that came up again and again in the tributes that poured in after the news broke, from former teammates to friends she had made well into adulthood.
The Family is Asking for Prayers
On behalf of her husband Jeramie, his sister Nichole Roneè Hunt took to Facebook to thank everyone who had reached out since the loss.
“We just want to extend our gratitude to everyone who has called, texted, prayed, stopped by, or just sent thoughtful words with the recent loss of his wife and mother of his children Jada Lawrence,” she wrote. “Please continue to keep him, their boys and the entire Lawrence and Johnson family covered in prayers during this difficult time.”
She also revealed that the family is dealing with additional pain beyond Jada’s passing, asking people to pray for Caasi, described as the family’s niece, who remains hospitalized.
“Pray for God to touch in a mighty way and that she makes a full recovery,” Nichole wrote.
Deidra Johnson posted a tribute that was short but carried the kind of weight only someone who truly loved Jada could put into words.
“God picked the most beautiful one for his garden. We love you Jada. Prayers over my family I love y’all,” she wrote.
Teresa Teran Santos shared a personal memory of the moment she first met Jada and what their friendship meant to her.
“When I first met you, we instantly connected and became friends, your radiant smile was contagious, I could talk to you all day, your non-judgmental heart inspired me, rest in peace sweet girl, your memory will be cherished dearly. I love you,” she wrote.
A Photographer Who Called Her Family
One of the most emotional tributes came from Fred Middlebrooks, a photographer who had documented some of the most important moments of Jada’s life.
He had photographed her senior portraits, her maternity sessions, and her family photos over the years. Jada called him Uncle Fred.
“Last night when I found out of her passing I was numb riding down the highway today to shoot an event I broke down and had to pull over because I loved this child like my own,” he wrote. “Her mother is just like a sister to me. I feel like a part of me left last night because this baby was so sweet. She loved her family and she loved life.”
He closed his post by asking everyone to pray for Jada’s mother Kiska Smith Johnson and the entire family, and made clear that his love for Jada and her boys did not end with her passing.
Jada Johnson Lawrence was a basketball player, a wife, a mother, and by every account a person who made life better for the people around her.
Ripley is feeling that loss right now in a way that goes well beyond the court she once played on.
