The Emma Cain and Laran Calhoun Memorial Fund

My name is Jennifer Babb, and I'm raising money for my cousin's family that has been through a horrible tragedy. My beloved cousin Emma Brewer Cain and her husband, James Laran Calhoun, were kind and generous people who went out of their way to help others in need. They recently opened their home in Winter Park, FL, to a family friend who needed a place to stay. On the night of Monday, April 25th, 2022, an argument occurred, and the friend turned on them. He shot and killed them both in cold blood inside their home and then killed himself in the room Emma and Laran had provided for him. Their 17-year-old son was thankfully able to escape without physical injury.

Emma and Laran are survived by three sons and extended family. Their youngest son Andrew Calhoun, and his older brothers John and Jeffrey Cain, who are in their early twenties; two sisters and Emma’s brother Sean. Emma’s sisters have severe medical issues and cannot help, and both parents died in 2021. Sean is next of kin on our side. Emma also had extended family in the midwest that she never had a chance to meet. I don't know much about Laran's family, but I do know that he left many loved ones and friends behind.

What can we do to help support these young men?

Friends have asked how to help the boys, and our family has received requests for fundraisers to help support them financially. No child should have to go through what these boys have endured. No young man should have to pay for the funeral of both parents who were taken from this world through unexpected and senseless violence. Since the tragedy occurred, my cousin, Sean, has absorbed most of the expenses, but that’s not sustainable long-term. There are various expenses related to the crime scene clean-up, the memorial service, Sean and his family’s expenses while in Florida, and living expenses for Emma and Laran’s sons. The boys will need immediate funds since all of the family’s assets will be tied up in probate.

What the Emma Cain and Laran Calhoun Memorial Fund will pay for:

Emma and Laran's legacy will continue with us.

Emma and Laran went out of their way to help others and were active in their community. There are so many testimonials of how they selflessly helped friends and neighbors in need. Emma was born to take care of people; she was a natural caregiver of others since she was a young child. Now it's time to continue Emma and Laran's legacy of compassion and kindness and extend our love and support to their children.