On Friday, November 21st, 2025, Jemimah Audu collapsed during her basketball game at Discovery Middle School in Fargo, ND. She was transported to Sanford Medical Center where she passed away.

Shattered and heartbroken are the only words that come close to how her family and friends are feeling. Her parents, Johnny and Sarah Cox, wish to thank the staff and first responders (police, fire, EMT) that attended to her. Also, to the ER staff who tried so hard to revive her. With no previous health conditions, an autopsy is pending at the University of North Dakota.

Jemimah was in 8th grade at Discovery Middle School. She enjoyed basketball and her youth group at Northview Church. She held an especially close bond with her brother Jethro. He currently plays football with Dynasty Elite Athletics and attends 5th grade at Eagles Elementary.

Donations will go directly to family and her final arrangements.

I created this account as a friend of the family. Miss Sarah, as we affectionately call her, has cared for my son and loved on him like her own child. Earlier this year when Johnny joined the family it felt whole again. I would be grateful for any donation to help them honor Jemimah. She was a kind and beautiful soul to all she encountered.

Funeral arrangements:

Monday, December 1, 2025 at 5 PM at Northview Church, 3401 25th St S, Fargo, ND 58104. Visitation will be at 4pm.

Obituary

Jemimah Audu, age 13, died on November 21, 2025, at Sanford Health in Fargo, following a sudden health event while playing basketball at Discovery Middle School.

Jemimah Zoey Audu was born on January 15, 2012, in Kano, Nigeria to Sarah Gabriel and Iliya Audu. Her family then moved to North Dakota after her birth father died. She was currently an eighth grader at Discovery Middle School in Fargo.

The Life Story of Jemimah ✨ Jemimah’s life was a beautiful melody full of radiant joy, laughter, and a gentleness that wrapped itself around everyone who crossed her path. From the moment she stepped into the world, she carried an unmistakable light. It wasn’t loud or demanding. It was soft, steady, and deeply felt a presence that made people feel seen, cared for, and loved.

A Heart Made for Helping ✨ Helping others was never something Jemimah had to learn. It flowed naturally from her. She stepped into the role of an assistant mother with ease, grace, and a sense of responsibility far beyond her years. Whether caring for her siblings, supporting a friend, or simply offering a smile to someone who was hurting, Jemimah gave of herself freely. Respectful, considerate, and compassionate, she lived with a heart tuned to the needs of others.

A Girl Full of Life ✨ Jemimah loved to move, to explore, to create joy with her whole body. She thrived in anything active or expressive. Ballet taught her elegance. She took dance classes alongside her brother and her friend. She and her friends proudly called themselves the Brave Dancers which brought out her boldness. Taekwondo shaped her discipline and strength. Basketball brought out her competitive spirit, her teamwork, and her infectious smile that lit up the entire court. No matter the activity, she brought energy, laughter, and a spark that inspired those around her.

Her Smile—Her Signature ✨There was hardly a moment when Jemimah wasn’t smiling. And it wasn’t just a smile—it was the kind that lifted the atmosphere of a room, the kind that reminded people there was still goodness in the world. She carried joy the way others carry breath—naturally and constantly.

Her Faith—Her Foundation ✨ Jemimah loved the things of God. She listened, learned, worshiped, and lived in a way that reflected a pure heart and a sincere love for Jesus. Her faith shaped her kindness, her gentleness, and the way she honored people. She had a way of bringing peace into conversations and love into moments that needed it most.

A Legacy That Lives On ✨Though her time on earth was short, Jemimah lived fully. She loved deeply. She shone brightly. She left fingerprints of kindness, warmth, and joy on every life she touched. Her story continues in the smiles she inspired, the help she offered, the love she gave, and the memories she created.

Jemimah is survived by her parents Sarah and Johnny Cox, Fargo; brothers Jethro Audu, Fargo and Jimmy Cox, Reno, NV; sisters Mary-Jane Cox, Reno, NV and Angelica H-Cox, Oregon; grandmother Sheila Gabriel, Minna, Nigeria; grandparents Trudy and Micheal Denny, Modesto, CA; aunts Anita Masagbok, Chicago, IL, Mary Elimian, United Kingdom, Josephine Usman and Joy Ajeni, both of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Faith Abbas, Hauwa Audu, Nana Shaba and Rhoda Wampama all of Abuja, Nigeria, and Tara Williams, Fargo, ND; uncles Sunny Gabriel, Canada, Fola Akinnusi and Seun Markus, both of Fargo, ND, Jeremy Denny, Modesto, CA, Patrick Denny, Bemidji, MN, Emmanuel Gabriel, United Kingdom, Ota Benson, Houston, TX, and Ayuba Audu, Abuja, Nigeria.

She was preceded in death by her birth father Iliya Audu, her brother Jamal Audu, grandfathers Gabriel Okpeh and Audu Duhu, and aunt Brooke Hernandez.

Jemimah will always be remembered as a girl full of life, brave, joyful, respectful, energetic, loving, and radiant. A daughter, a sister, a friend, and a gift from God whose light continues to shine.

Funeral: Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 at 5 PM at Northview Church in Fargo, ND with visitation one hour prior.