Jalen Smith Funeral and Memorial

UPDATED (07-08-2021 @ 9pm):

We have reached our goal in donations. If anyone is still wanting to contribute, Jalen's school is helping us set up a scholarship in his name to help a number of students go to college. However as for the funeral and memorial services we have more than could have hoped for to make this as stress free for Jalen's mom as we could. So Thank You again, you really didn't have to, but we greatly appreciate it.

I have been told there will be a candlelight vigil at Sarasota High School on the Football field but the date and time have yet to be confirmed.

UPDATED (07-06-2021 @ 2pm):

Thank you to everyone who sent messages, stories, photos, donations and to all those who gave their time, energy, thoughts and prayers. Your love and support has been received and appreciated with open arms. It took a bit longer than expected but we do have some updated details about the days ahead.

Candlelight Vigil: 7/14, 6pm, at Sarasota High School

The wake: Friday, 7/16, 6p-8pm at Chandler Funeral Home on Martin Luther King Jr Way

The funeral: Saturday, 7/17, 10am-1pm at Bayside Community Church at 8200 Bee Ridge Rd

The internment: Palms Memorial Park on Fruitville Rd immediately following the service

Repass: Bayside Community Church

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As many of you already know, we lost a precious member of our family and community on July 2, 2021. Jalen was hard working, honest, genuine, intelligent, funny and a courageous young man. He was always willing to go above and beyond for those he knew, and even those he just met. We can't imagine how we will ever fill the void created by his sudden loss. He was the best, the best son, the best brother, the best nephew, the best cousin, and the best friend that a person could ask for. He was always willing and ready to listen, and he was always genuinely interested in what others had to say and what they were going through. He spread positivity, optimism, hope, and encouragement to all those around him. His smile, warmth and sense of humor could brighten up a whole room, and he always made it look effortless. Jalen consistently made conscious decisions to reach out and help those around him, wanting to change the world and change others through action and through his ability to connect with them. If you had the privilege to know Jalen it's very likely that he changed your life in some way and encouraged you to be a better version of yourself. He was the kind of guy to always believe that you could do it, even when you weren't so sure yourself. We love him so much and will forever be devastated by his sudden departure.

It is with great regret that we ask for your help in giving him the memorial and funeral that he deserves. Funds will go directly to his mother Saleemah Stanley to assist her in all the trials ahead when dealing with the loss of her only child and son. Although we do expect support from the community in various ways we thought it smart to ask for donations and to give people the chance to contribute if they were able to. Every little bit will help, and if Jalen were here he would insist you only give if you are able to. We thank each and every person who has had a positive impact on his life and helping him become the amazing person we've come to know and love. It takes a village to raise a child and we know he's had support from a countless number of people so we thank you all for that.

As of right now the memorial and funeral services haven't been officially planned but we will be updating this page with information as it presents itself. We are working under the assumptions that the memorial service will be held at Sarasota High School to allow for the huge number of people that are expected to make an appearance to say their goodbyes to the young man we loved.

If any one has questions/requests that pertain to Jalen, the memorial and or funeral services, please send them to me (Jalen's uncle Lloyd) at

llospa [AT] gmail [DOT] com

If any one has any photos/happy memories that they want to share and possibly see in the collage that is being made for Jalen, please send them to my wife Stephanie (Jalen's Aunt) who will be handling that. Her contact email is

stephaniered [AT] gmail [DOT] com

Lastly thank you all for your time, for your energy and for all the support you've shown during this hard time.

We will periodically update this page as more info becomes available.

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