Support the family of Derrick Saunders Jr

Support the family of Derrick Saunders Jr image

This page is being created in an effort to support the family of Derrick Saunders Jr. Derrick tragically passed this week while fishing with family at the Greenwood Boat Docks. Our goal is to raise funds to support Derrick and his family during this difficult time. Funds from this crowdfunding effort will go towards unplanned expenses related to the tragic passing of Derrick and will help with funeral cost, as the family did not have life insurance.

This page is being created with the blessing of family/friends of the Saunders family. Below is more about Derrick shared from his mother:

Derrick D Saunders Jr, born August 29, 2011 along with his twin sister De’Erica Renee Saunders came into this world as twins, born premature at 34 weeks. Derrick was soon diagnosed with a rare blood condition called G6PD that had him fighting for his life as a newborn. He needed multiple blood transfusions/exchanges and the risk for complications were extremely high. I prayed over my son as my heart broke for him, asking God to extend his little life and give me more time with him as my only son and I had been praying for him. I visited him daily as his long multiple surgeries extended his stay into the NICU for two months. He was a fighter and got better and came home to me and his family soon enough. Growing up Derrick was happy and strong. He attended Shacklette Elementary School, and graduated from Conway middle School, and was excited to attend PRP High School in the fall of 2025. Derrick was a happy teenager and loved life, especially spending time at home with his family and attending school with his friends. He loved joking and making everybody laugh, he didn’t have a mean bone in his body. He was an Angelic spirit, as his mom I’ve never seen him angry and only received love and affection from him to everyone he meet. As my only son he was the apple of my eye, bringing so much joy to our family, watching him grow into a teenager, get tall and grow smart made me so proud. As the family continues to come to terms with this loss, we thank everyone for your support and prayers. Please continue to support through thoughts and prayers. Thank you and God bless you.

https://www.wlky.com/article/body-found-ohio-river...


From the Lesley & Rhyan Prather Foundation:
It was a sudden and unexpected loss that took our girls from us, so we know what the Saunders family is going through. We know from helping over 500 families & from our own personal loss, that it's the community support that can motivate you to know that you're not in this alone! If you can donate, please do so to support this family. If you can't donate, please pray and/or send positive vibes to the family.


The Lesley & Rhyan Prather Foundation is a federally approved non profit organization (EIN: 85-2888525) and all donations are considered tax deductible. LRPFD does not take a percentage of any donation, all proceeds raised goes directly to the family. This is a crowdfunding effort and is to be considered non taxable income to the family. If your company offers a donation match program, you can submit your donation to your work and those funds will be allocated to the family as well. The foundation will also be making a donation directly to the family and will provide support/resources as needed.