About Lake Oconee news. (Greensboro, GA) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (April 28, 2017)
Friday, April 28,2017 Lake Oconee News Page A3 Wreck Continued from A1 Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center, did not return calls to give an update on their condition by press time. Brittany and Michael were in the back seat of a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee, being driven by Michael’s mother, Tracey Rhodes, 50. They were headed north on U.S. Hwy. 441 and were in Putnam County, about two miles south of the Morgan County line, around 4:50 p.m. Michael’s 14-year-old brother, Adam, was a passenger in the front seat. Traveling through a downpour of rain, the Grand Cherokee hydro planed, crossed over the center line and into the southbound lane of traffic, where it collided with a 2014 Jeep Compass, being driven by Kaitlyn Minor Black, 21, of Bethlehem. The front of the Compass crashed into the Grand Cherokee’s side passen ger door, backseat area, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said, and rolled the Grand Cherokee on its side. A physician who was passing by stopped to help, and was administering CPR on Smith when the EMTs arrived, Sill said, but both Brittany and Michael already had died. Informing the students Morgan County High School principal Miki Edwards and school faculty first met with the senior class Monday morning to share the news of their classmate’s death, then shared it with the rest of the student body, Edwards said in an email. A letter was sent to parents informing them, and explaining that students will have varied reactions to the death of a peer. Special counsel ing services were made available to the students Monday and will continue throughout the week, and even longer, if needed, Edwards said in the letter. “We are grateful for the support that has been shown by our school system and local community towards our faculty, staff and students during this tragic time. Some students have joined in small groups to share, grieve and pray together. It has been a dif ficult day for them and we are so very proud of how they have often leaned on one another,” he wrote. Contributed Putnam County Deputy Sheriff Justin Brock ponders the scene after the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which had been turned over, was uprighted. The community mourns Grief-stricken, the people of Morgan County seem to have rallied in support for the families of Michael Rhodes and Brittany Smith on social media. “On Sunday, April 23, the unthinkable happened to one of our Morgan County families,” John and Jodi Robbins, coach of the Morgan County High School wrestling team, wrote on a GoFundMe account for those in the crash. “The wrestling family is completely and utterly heartbroken over the death of senior wrestler Michael Rhodes. Michael was one of a kind. He always put others first and was one of the most unselfish young adults we have ever had the privilege of teaching and coaching.” “Brittany was so loved by all of Oconee County Parks and Recreation’s staff and children,” Olivia Daniell wrote. “She will be greatly missed and our memories with her are greatly cher ished. (She was) a beautiful co-worker at Oconee Parks and Recreation.” The crowd-funding platform pages were set up Brittany Smith and Michael Rhodes were riding in the back seat of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Contributed by friends. The one set up for the Rhodes said “Mike (the father) will soon have many bills to pay and we must rally around this family in any way we can. This family has supported Morgan County athletics whole-heartedly for many years and now it’s our turn to support them.” Almost 350 donations had been made to both accounts, totaling more than $30,000. Many dona tions expressed thoughts of sympathy, including: "I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Michael at Ingles." - Dana Jenkins "Although I did not know Brittany personally, she helped with my daughters' dance classes, and I vividly remember watching her on stage being so kind and gentle to so many little girls that looked up to her. I know you are proud of her. We are praying for your peace during this difficult time." - Ellen Strickland "I am so sorry foryour loss. This isalmost unfathomable." - Kendall Keeling "I have known Michael for most of my life and I truly believe that it was his goal to make at least one person smile every day; but truly, he made everyone smile. His generous personality, upbeat attitude and infectious smile had such an impact on not only my life, but so many others. Thank you, Michael, for all the laughs, smiles and memories we shared since we were kids." - Allison and Everitt Gill "Brittany was one of the best friends I have ever had. She was the kindest cherish the great memories and most loving person I she and I made together, have ever met, and she was I will miss her so much! — always smiling. I will always Ashlyn Rustin Teaming up against stroke At St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital, we fight stroke with teamwork. The result? Faster diagnostics and emergency treatment right here in our community. Remote access to leading neurologists 24/7. Ciot-busting medication that can stop many strokes in their tracks. Compassionate nursing, rehabilitation, case management and spiritual care services. A Swing Bed program for enhanced recovery. And access to the full stroke services of St. Mary’s Health Care System, ranked Call 911 immediately if you experience sudden... ► WEAKNESS, ESPECIALLY ONONESIDE ► SEVERE HEADACHE ► TROUBLE WALKING, TALKING OR SEEING Written by Connie Ray Moroijt s Mqke on coocetveo by awi oaitey Muaical Arran9t*no«i by V MikeCraver Directed by Carolyn fears -Musical Director f Michael Well* Festival Hall Downtown Greensboro GA Tickets $20 May 4-5-6*7pm & May 7*2:30pm j va WJ a For information or tickets 706-819-3190 We know Water Filtration IT’S ALL WE DO! • Proudly serving the Lake Area for over 25 years • Widest range of quality products to meet any budget • Service plans available to meet YOUR needs • Let us inspect/service your existing system Household WATER SPECIALIST • WATER FILTRATION • 706-453-1151 /a* householdwater.com ® WE FIX BAD WATER! among America’s 100 Best by Healthgrades in 2017. When a stroke strikes, think St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital. ► DROOPING FACE <&ST. MARY’S Good Samaritan Hospital Georgia’s first designated Remote www.stmarysgoodsam.org Treatment Stroke Center
