Memories of love, friendship, thanks, and joy echoed through a pavilion at Meeks Park in Blairsville for the dedication of the Sydnie Grace Jones Memorial Intersection.
Family and friends gathered Tuesday, September 14, to honor and remember the Fannin County 19-year-old who tragically lost her life after a car crash at the intersection of Highways 515 and 325 in Union County.
David Ralston, District 7 representative and Speaker of the Georgia House, along with Representative Stan Gunter, sponsored the resolution naming the intersection for Jones.
Ralston spoke Tuesday of how the day represented giving thanks for Jones’ memory.
Naming the intersection and the accompanying safety improvements that will be made there are “positive things” that generations from now on will see in Jones’ honor, he said.
Sydnie’s mother, Melinda, talked of her daughter’s love of life. “She didn’t waste a minute and I ask that you never waste a minute,” Melinda urged.
“She taught me more about life than I ever taught her,” Melinda said, saying Sydnie “knew everything” ever since she was a little girl.
Speaking to her daughter as if she were there, Melinda remembered Sydnie’s seventh number on her list to live by, which was to make her family proud. “Sydnie Grace, you have definitely made us proud,” Melinda said.
Several of Sydnie’s closest friends spoke, each with memories and encouragements Sydnie left behind.
Samantha Rosas said, remembering love and friendship, that all should be doers of God’s Word and not just hearers, a trait Sydnie exemplified.
Others spoke of laughter and how “she was our family.” There were tales of showing up at the Jones’ home at 1 a.m. and always being welcomed. Memories of flat tires and skateboarding at all hours brought laughs and smiles.
Jenny Williams remembered Sydnie as one of the elves at the Williams’ annual Christmas events. She was “the life of the party...a joy and a blessing,” Williams said.
And while the Williams couldn’t host their normal inside visits with Santa Claus during Christmas 2020 because of COVID-19, Sydnie had visited with them that season. The visit came just before the crash in January.
Bob Richardson, pastor of Blue Ridge First Baptist Church, said Sydnie’s memory will live on in another way.
Sydnie, who attended a regular Bible study at the church, had been pushing Richardson to research and create a skate ministry. “I just want to do something for the Lord,” she had told him.
The church planned to start a program this week that will include building a skate park in Blue Ridge, and that park is due to the motivation of Sydnie, Richardson said.
Chan Mitchell, pastor of The Ridge Community Church where Sydnie was involved with the youth group, closed the ceremony reminding everyone, “don’t wait for tomorrow, but make the most of today.”
That was the way Sydnie approached life, a way echoed in last week.