R-Swift Family Bereavement Support
Donation protected
“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 2:6 (NASB).
Our dear brother Rodnie J. Graham Jr. (R-Swift) lost his mother Ruth M. Graham-Hayes Friday Nov 1, 2019. We want to rally around our brother and his family as the body and family to bear their burdens with them. Some of you know him well from his music, some of you don’t; however, we all know how it feels to hurt and need a support system.
There are very tangible ways to love and support the Graham family at this time but first, here’s a little backstory.
1981 in Long Island, NY Ruth Graham & her husband Rodnie Sr. welcomed their second child, Rodnie J. Graham Jr. Years later they would divorce and Ruth along with her then 3 children would move on to make Philadelphia their new home. Their journey would be rough. She struggled working multiple jobs to provide for her family.
As the years went by Rodnie Jr began to indulge in violence and drug dealing. Ruth would answer the phone unsure if it was the county jail or the coroner. She tried her best to fight this influence but eventually she was left with only her prayers.
Those prayers worked! Over time God opened the eyes of Rodnie or “Swift” as his peers called him. He began to shed his life of mayhem and started the path to becoming a better man. He would eventually go on to use his energy towards positive things, and becoming the leader Ruth knew he could be.
This new life came with challenges. Swift began a budding music career and started his own business, he married a wonderful woman named Stacey and they started a beautiful family. Ruth was now a Grandmother and it seemed all would be wonderful and it was. However, their world would soon be shaken and their faith was tested.
Not long after the birth of his second child/first son, RJ; Swift received a call from a babysitter that his son was not breathing. RJ passed away after only 6 months on earth.
Four years later, still patching their lives together after their loss; Swift, Stacey & family found more devastating news. Stacey was rushed to the ER after experiencing discomfort and fevers. They were thinking maybe it was a stomach virus but after a few hours and some tests, the doctor came back and informed them that it was late stage 3/ early stage 4 cancer. This news shook them to the core; their days were filled with frustration, fear, and questions.
Swift was no longer able to tour being that he chose to stay home and care for his wife Stacey, as she began her battle with cancer. Swift's mom, Ruth, who was actually a cancer survivor dropped everything and came to Atlanta to help with the family. Stacey would go on to beat cancer as well. Four years later (2017) Ruth made the decision to move south and make Atlanta her new residence. She was a faithful grandmother and servant at church and always kept people smiling.
Still as soon as things started to normalize, in came the latest blow. Ruth one day (about 3 weeks prior) was experiencing chest pains, she was suffering a heart attack. Swift took her to the hospital; and committed to essentially put his work on hold to take care of his mom Ruth. Unfortunately, even with his effort and support, Ruth couldn't hold on any longer. She recently went home to be with the Lord. (November 1st 2019).
We know Swift to be a strong man but losing a son, a wife battling cancer, and losing a mother is a lot for anyone to bare. We just want him to have the chance to take care of his family and his mental health. As his brothers and sisters, we are choosing to rally around them and raise $50,000 to provide support, particularly in this time when there are grieving a friend, mother and grandmother.
The financial support would first off help with the hospital bill burden. Even with insurance, he'll be left with paying a hefty fee. Then there's the wear and tear of taking care of his family. Meals are being provided now but it would be nice to have a grocery fund for the hard road ahead.
We'd like for him to not have to be away from his family for a while for performances and other musical work which pay the bills.
Lastly, we believe in the importance of mental health, as these things take a toll. We'd like to cover a year of grief counseling/therapy.
We would love nothing more than to see our brother Rodnie (R-Swift), his wife Stacey and their 3 daughters Shayla, Jasmine & Summer; cared for, strengthened, restored & in a healthy place.
Thank you.
Our dear brother Rodnie J. Graham Jr. (R-Swift) lost his mother Ruth M. Graham-Hayes Friday Nov 1, 2019. We want to rally around our brother and his family as the body and family to bear their burdens with them. Some of you know him well from his music, some of you don’t; however, we all know how it feels to hurt and need a support system.
There are very tangible ways to love and support the Graham family at this time but first, here’s a little backstory.
1981 in Long Island, NY Ruth Graham & her husband Rodnie Sr. welcomed their second child, Rodnie J. Graham Jr. Years later they would divorce and Ruth along with her then 3 children would move on to make Philadelphia their new home. Their journey would be rough. She struggled working multiple jobs to provide for her family.
As the years went by Rodnie Jr began to indulge in violence and drug dealing. Ruth would answer the phone unsure if it was the county jail or the coroner. She tried her best to fight this influence but eventually she was left with only her prayers.
Those prayers worked! Over time God opened the eyes of Rodnie or “Swift” as his peers called him. He began to shed his life of mayhem and started the path to becoming a better man. He would eventually go on to use his energy towards positive things, and becoming the leader Ruth knew he could be.
This new life came with challenges. Swift began a budding music career and started his own business, he married a wonderful woman named Stacey and they started a beautiful family. Ruth was now a Grandmother and it seemed all would be wonderful and it was. However, their world would soon be shaken and their faith was tested.
Not long after the birth of his second child/first son, RJ; Swift received a call from a babysitter that his son was not breathing. RJ passed away after only 6 months on earth.
Four years later, still patching their lives together after their loss; Swift, Stacey & family found more devastating news. Stacey was rushed to the ER after experiencing discomfort and fevers. They were thinking maybe it was a stomach virus but after a few hours and some tests, the doctor came back and informed them that it was late stage 3/ early stage 4 cancer. This news shook them to the core; their days were filled with frustration, fear, and questions.
Swift was no longer able to tour being that he chose to stay home and care for his wife Stacey, as she began her battle with cancer. Swift's mom, Ruth, who was actually a cancer survivor dropped everything and came to Atlanta to help with the family. Stacey would go on to beat cancer as well. Four years later (2017) Ruth made the decision to move south and make Atlanta her new residence. She was a faithful grandmother and servant at church and always kept people smiling.
Still as soon as things started to normalize, in came the latest blow. Ruth one day (about 3 weeks prior) was experiencing chest pains, she was suffering a heart attack. Swift took her to the hospital; and committed to essentially put his work on hold to take care of his mom Ruth. Unfortunately, even with his effort and support, Ruth couldn't hold on any longer. She recently went home to be with the Lord. (November 1st 2019).
We know Swift to be a strong man but losing a son, a wife battling cancer, and losing a mother is a lot for anyone to bare. We just want him to have the chance to take care of his family and his mental health. As his brothers and sisters, we are choosing to rally around them and raise $50,000 to provide support, particularly in this time when there are grieving a friend, mother and grandmother.
The financial support would first off help with the hospital bill burden. Even with insurance, he'll be left with paying a hefty fee. Then there's the wear and tear of taking care of his family. Meals are being provided now but it would be nice to have a grocery fund for the hard road ahead.
We'd like for him to not have to be away from his family for a while for performances and other musical work which pay the bills.
Lastly, we believe in the importance of mental health, as these things take a toll. We'd like to cover a year of grief counseling/therapy.
We would love nothing more than to see our brother Rodnie (R-Swift), his wife Stacey and their 3 daughters Shayla, Jasmine & Summer; cared for, strengthened, restored & in a healthy place.
Thank you.
Fundraising team: Joel+Jalissa Jassu, Lecrae Moore,Tedashii Anderson (2)
Joel Jassu
Organizer
Atlanta, GA
Stacey Graham
Beneficiary
Jalissa Jassu
Team member
