WOODBINE, Ga. – Dozens of community members gathered to honor the life of 9-year-old Jordyn Butler, who was struck and killed by an SUV last week while playing outside with her brother in Woodbine.
The memorial service, filled with prayer and worship songs, brought together family, friends and community members to remember a child who was described as “a beacon of light” by those who knew her.
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“These last few days have been some of the longest days of our lives,” said Andrie Phillips, Jordyn’s aunt. “Jordyn being the baby grand girl of my mom and her father, being the baby girl is hard. But at the same time, we’re gonna trust God in this and definitely lean on him for his strength.”
Jessica Armstrong, who led Jordyn in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program at Woodbine Elementary School, remembered her as an exceptional student whose impact extended beyond her years.
“When I first encountered Jordyn, I’d just seen this little girl, and she always smiled at me,” Armstrong said. “When we first met, she always sat directly across from me and I’d seen a beacon of light that I hadn’t often seen in a lot of little children.”
Armstrong added that Jordyn “was a blessing, not only to her peers around her, but to me specifically. She didn’t even know she was building me up. She was encouraging me because of the light that lived inside of her.”
The family expressed gratitude for the community’s support during their time of grief.
“Camden County, you have shown up, and you have done a marvelous job with support,” Phillips said. “We appreciate everything that you’ve done. We appreciate how you’ve come together to meet needs in such a time as this.”
Denise Millan, Woodbine Elementary School principal, remembered her as a first-grader with a bright light.
“She always had a smile, always gave me a hug. That’s what I’m gonna miss the most. That every day I got a good hug from Jordyn,” Millan said.
Millian understood the toll Butler’s death would have on her classmate and ensured that the school would have proper resources available for the students.
“It’s really important that we all come together and try to process this,” She said. “We need each other. This community is like that. We always come together and support each other.”
The Georgia State Patrol was investigating the crash that claimed Jordyn’s life.
A celebration of life service was scheduled for Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church of Woodbine.
A GoFundMe campaign established to support the funeral services had raised over $15,000.