He loved his family, his children and would do anything he could to support them. Those were thoughts expressed by a heartbroken Regina Jefferson, mother of Jarron Burton.
The 31-year old Columbia man was shot and killed June 11 on Barbara Drive. Gerrod Ball, 39, of Columbia was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and remains in the Marion County Jail on $1 million bond. Ball was also shot, and investigators have not said what led up to the conflict.
Sitting in her home last week, Jefferson spoke very fondly of her son, saying he was very outgoing, intelligent, nice and sweet.
“He would help anyway he could with his family and his children,” she said. “A very hard worker. He was a good all-around person.”
Burton left behind two children, 7-year old Jarron II and 1-year old Jayla Burton. In addition he was also survived by a brother, Jeronn Burton; sister, Janea Burton; and father and stepmother, Willie and Twila Burton. He was a graduate of East Marion High School.
Jeronn Burton, his brother, said, “I’m so hurt.”
Frederick Cagins, along with a few other individuals, gathered outside the home of Jefferson, preparing food for the family last week.
“It didn’t have to happen,” Cagins said.
Howard Jordan, who taught Burton physical education at East Marion Elementary School, said Burton came around the house often and he was quiet and a good person.
“He was the same way in school; you almost wouldn’t know he was there he was so quiet,” he said.
One of the things everyone kept saying was how Burton loved his cars. He dreamed of starting his own car business one day.
The visitation and funeral were Saturday at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, where he attended.
“He always kept a smile on his face. He wasn’t the type to get into trouble. I never thought anything like this would happen,” Jefferson said, being overcome with emotion.
