‘God needed Jada back home’: Teen dies a week after being critically injured in crash on Fort Dobbs Road
Thirteen-year-old Jada Marlowe passed away on Monday, a week after being critically injured when the golf cart she was traveling in was hit by a Honda Accord operated by an impaired driver.
Jada’s father, 39-year-old Michael Marlowe, and 5-year-old brother, Bentley Michael Marlowe, were killed on June 13 after the golf cart they were traveling in on Fort Dobbs Road near Statesville was hit head-on about 9:40 p.m. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Western Avenue Baptist Church in Statesville.
A memorial service for Jada is planned for 7:30 p.m. Monday evening at Davis Regional Medical Center.
“Sweet Jada, go rest high on that mountain,” her mother, Savannah Boltz, wrote in a Facebook post.
Boltz, who works as a nurse, wrote about her faith, the girl she called “Tater” and the difficult decision to remove her from life support.
“God didn’t fail us. Our plans are not always his. He sent us the miracle of Jada. He never promises us forever,” she wrote.
Here is Savannah Boltz’s complete post:
“13 years. She’s experienced a lifetime of love and happiness. She got to travel, experienced school and girlfriends/ middle school drama, tree climbs, snow skiing, boat rides, ocean swimming, mountain climbing, waterfalls, sunsets, airplanes and riding above the clouds, digging in the dirt, kayaks and paddle boards, cheerleading, volleyball and softball. And one of the rarest things for someone only 13:= She loved and was loved by a boy. A good boy. My baby girl got to experience genuine love, even if it was only 13 yr old love. She got to go with him to a dance. Please pray hard for this young Cohen. He will forever be my son.
“I received the report directly from a trusted neurosurgeon. Took the time to explain to me, with a room full of her nurses and other docs, each area affected in her brain that no longer had life. Areas that would cause her to never walk, never talk, be permanently deaf, need trach to breath, among other things — like focus and memory. He promised me and showed me and gave me the crystal clear proof that the person I could selfishly choose to keep alive, wouldn’t even resemble Tater. I made the hard choice today.
“So be happy for my Tater. Just as I’m trying to be. Be happy that she had such a wonderful life here and that she gets to be embraced by her daddy when she gets to heaven. Jada was a daddy’s girl. The reunion with Benny, Patsy, and my uncle Chris will be amazing & for that I’ll find happiness and peace. God needed Jada back home.
“Please pray for the rest of us left behind that we hold our heads up until the day, we too, get to join her.”
♦ JUNE 14: Statesville man faces charges in crash that killed two, injured four on Fort Dobbs Road
♦ JUNE 14: Pastor: ‘It’s a time to think, and grieve, and mourn, and hope.”
♦ JUNE 18: Obituary: Bentley Michael Marlowe
♦ JUNE 18: Obituary: Michael Shane Marlowe
♦ JUNE 19: Iredell Firewire Report: Fort Dobbs Road crash survivors face long road to recovery
What makes a golf cart street legal in NC?
To be legally operated on the roads, your cart must be equipped with headlights, taillights, turn signals, brake lights, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, seat belts, a windshield, horn, and DOT-approved tires.
And?? A drunk driver was at fault not these innocent people (children).
None of which matters to a grieving family. Try and have some class while this family mourns a tragic loss.
What makes drunk driving legal in NC, T Mabe? Why didn’t you ask the legality of DRUNK DRIVING BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT KILLED THIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. Your comment is extremely insensitive and asinine. So congratulations for stupid comment of the year. Golf carts are legal on roads under certain speed limits which they were following — NOT THAT IT MATTERS to you.
Who’s to say it wasn’t? It was demolished by a DRUNKEN DRIVER, who made the choice to drink, the choice to drive and now will not get the choice for his future, because he has KILLED 3 PEOPLE from one family and took away a husband and two children from a father who passed, but two Mothers that DIDN’T! So REALLY what does it matter if they were walking, driving a golf cart or a vehicle…. HE WAS DRUNK AND HIT THEM HEAD ON! Obviously, you’ve never had an officer come to your house to tell you your family is dead or in critical condition! When they came to mine, I prayed for a critical condition….but I got a fatality…nine months pregnant!!! So REALLY which part is more important??? Bless the hearts and souls of all these family members and friends who have lost their family ❣️🫶❣️
Sir, have you no decency?
So sorry to hear of her passing, such a terrible tragedy.
It’s so sad how people think theses days. We have become so heartless and mean! I’m heartbroken for this family and I hope they don’t see or hear comments like the inconsiderate, heartless one made by T Mabe who must not think driving wasted is illegal!!!
What a tragedy. If people want to post, please pray for this family left behind. Don’t post negativity; they need support. May God hold your hand and you feel the presence of the family that’s left by your side. Prayers for you.
Prayers for peace and comfort. It’s hard enough to lose one person — much less your whole family. May God by with you.
The strength and grace with which these families have handled this more than tragic event is an example we all should strive to follow. I cannot imagine. I don’t know if I would have had the same strength. They have my sympathies and my utmost respect.
Dear Savannah and Family, My deepest condolences to you in this tragedy. I do not know you but my daughter is ARS student and was friendly with Jada. Your post shows so much strength, courage, and faith God Bless and Comfort you through this.
My heart aches for you. Your family will be in my prayers.
Excuse me, T. Mabe, but WHAT MAKES A DRUNKEN DRIVER STREET LEGAL IN NC? You pathetically listed a load of garbage that does EVERYTHING except BLAME THE DRUNKEN MURDERER who plowed over this innocent family. ARE YOU A DUI OFFENDER? Because you haven’t said ONE THING about how drunken drivers are the scum of the earth. You have tried blaming the VICTIMS and you sound like a complete ass.
I think people are just trying to make sense of this, asking how it could have been avoided. Personally, I wouldn’t be driving a golf cart in the dark with the kids on board. I also wouldn’t drive drunk. Life is full of regrets and bad choices. Stop judging people’s opinions. “Leave a reply” implies a personal Opinion. Be glad you live in a country where we’re still allowed to have one.
Dear mama: I have had to make the same decision you made. You did the right thing.