Jordan Frankum Rineheart was just 28 years old when she was killed in a car wreck on GA 365 South in Mt. Airy on September 4, 2016. Her 9-year old daughter Irys was in the car with her. She survived.
Irys was airlifted to Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta. Despite initial concerns she’d sustained serious internal injuries, Irys was released that same day with stitches in her leg.
A miracle.
A tragedy.
Both stemming from one life-altering event.
Fast forward two months and today family members say the Demorest Elementary School student is adjusting well. “Physically she’s doing good,” says Irys’ uncle Jake Frankum of Turnerville. “I know she understands her mom is dead and isn’t coming back but she’s doing real good.”
“She was very outgoing. She had a great personality and loved to laugh.”
Now the focus of a custody battle between her maternal grandmother and biological father, Irys’ future may well soon be decided by the courts. Still, her uncle says she keeps plugging along amidst the loss and uncertainty, “She’s hanging in there. She’s a solid trooper,” he says.
Describing his younger sister who was lost far too soon Jake says, “She was very outgoing. She had a great personality and loved to laugh.” As the family copes with the emotional trauma of Jordan’s sudden death and seeks to settle custody of her daughter, they’re also grappling with the financial burdens of burial.
Jeepin’ for Jordan
Jake wants to memorialize his late sister with a headstone and is now trying to raise funds to cover the $3,500 expense. He and his fiancée are organizing an off-road event this weekend to honor Jordan’s life and her memory.
Jeepin’ for Jordan will take place Saturday, October 22, at 2M Rock Garden in Cleveland. The private property is specially designed for events like this and Jake says every dollar raised will go towards purchasing a headstone for his sister and setting up a college fund for his niece.
The all day event will include a bounce house for kids, a raffle, food, and grab bags. Entry is $30 per vehicle; $10 for spectators. Kids 10 and under are FREE.
“We’re just trying to get as many people as possible to come out and support our cause,” Frankum says.”If you don’t have a Jeep or 4×4 vehicle you can just come and watch or we’ll take you for a ride.”
The event starts at noon and runs through 7 p.m. The 2M Rock Garden is located at 2629 Testate Gap Valley Road in Cleveland, Georgia 30528.
For more information visit the Jeepin’ for Jordan event page on Facebook. If you’d like to contribute but can’t attend the event, the family has set up a Go Fund Me account to accept online donations.
