Published:
03/01/2011 05:07pm
Mother of Murdered Son Says Her Son Still Lives
A Columbus, Ohio mother mourns the death and celebrates the life of her son. Murdered on Mother's Day, making it a holiday she will never be able to celebrate quite the same.
When Deborah Morgan purchased a ticket to the Midwest Literary Feast, she was prepared to indulge in a smorgasbord of literary delights. She had no idea she would end up serving up the main course.
For the third year, Columbus, Ohio bestselling author Joylynn M. Jossel hosted and treated lovers of the written word from across the map to an evening of entertainment beyond the typical book signing, author readings and Q&A sessions. There was a host of entrees; everything from stand-up comedy from a BET Comic View comic, poetry readings from a poet who appeared on The Apollo, a live band and an author spotlight featuring Essence Magazine bestselling authors. But what hadn’t originally been on the menu was a statement from a mother whose son was robbed of his life on Mother’s Day three years ago.
“My son touched many lives during his short time here on earth,” Ms. Morgan stated about her deceased son, Anthony Jamal Morgan, age eighteen at the time of death. “Through his legacy, he’s still alive.” Through the Anthony Jamal Morgan “MANifest Your Destiny” Scholarship Foundation, Ms. Morgan’s son will sill continue touching lives. Each year a male student from Beechcroft High School is awarded a $2,000 college scholarship in Anthony’s name. Beechcroft is the school Anthony would have graduated from in only two weeks from the date of his unsolved murder.
Ms. Morgan was asked to read the dedication of one of the books featured at the Midwest Literary Feast titled Even Sinners Have Souls Too. Unbeknownst to the mother, the literary project had been dedicated in memory of her son. Several copies were given to Ms. Morgan and attendees were asked to purchase the books directly from her; one hundred percent of the sells benefiting the scholarship fund. Guests flocked to Ms. Morgan, relieving her of the books. Even when the books were sold, guests continued to write checks and place cash in Ms. Morgan’s hand to benefit the scholarship fund.
So far three recipients have been awarded scholarships thanks to the support of fundraisers and community donations. It is Ms. Morgan’s prayer that those recipients will not forget the community that helped support them, and in return, reach back in the future and lend support themselves. Anthony Jamal Morgan, although no longer here in body, definitely still lives in spirit and is still touching lives. For more information regarding the Anthony Jamal Morgan Scholarship Fund, please write to P.O. Box 248750, Columbus, OH 43224. Any one with information regarding Anthony’s unsolved murder can call Crime Stoppers at 614-645-8477.
