Girl who’d beaten cancer mourned after fatal Independence house fire: ‘So kind’
Even as she battled cancer, Jerilynn Brown spent time with her church’s elderly congregants and showed concern for their circumstances. The girl would walk them to their seats, care about their lives and was more concerned about praying for others who were sick or had needs, than herself, Susquehanna Assembly of God Pastor Rusty Thomas said.
Brown, 13 — one of two people killed by a fire at an eastern Jackson County home earlier this month — was beloved in her Independence church, Thomas said.
“I think from the adults to the kids, everyone at our church, now that she has gone to be with the Lord, would say, ‘I want to pattern my life —,’” he said, pausing as tears welled up, “‘— after Jerilynn,’ how she cared and reached out to help other people when they were in need. She was so kind and thoughtful and gracious in that area.”
Loved ones are in mourning after Brown died in a fire at a home in eastern Independence July 4. Family also said Marc Anthony Young Sr., 52, died two days later from injuries he suffered in the blaze.
Loved ones and friends have left balloons, flowers, pictures and messages outside the charred home near the intersection of North Lake City Valley and East Bundschu roads.
“Marc was known for his ability to make friends wherever he went, and his blunt honesty was always tempered with love and respect,” loved ones wrote in his obituary. “He will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his family and his unrelenting spirit.”
Officials said a fire that was ignited by debris from fireworks caught a rear porch and eventually extended into the home. Officials also said none of the home’s smoke detectors were functional at the time of the fire.
Two lives lost
Young’s loved ones described him as a devoted family man who brought joy and love to those around him.
“His passion for life was contagious and his love for music, particularly 70-90s R&B, soul, country, and rap, was a hallmark of his vibrant personality,” they wrote in his obituary.
Brown, a lively and cheerful youth, had recently beaten cancer. Thomas said she wasn’t afraid to die during the cancer journey, and he never saw her get down or question, “Why me?” She had challenges but had faith too, Thomas said.
When chemotherapy caused her to lose her hair, she began to wear head wraps, Thomas said. Her pastor recalled her last Sunday at church, her walking in a little late with her dad, her wearing one of the wraps. She sat in the second row, smiling. She was happy.
“She lived her life fully in a short period of time, and she lived her life very active,” Thomas said. “She wasn’t sad or remorseful about the things she had to go through, and I never, never, never saw her not smile. Every time I saw her, she had a smile on her face.”
