Left to raise granddaughter alone, Lubbock woman seeks community support to lay husband to rest

LUBBOCK, Texas — A year later, a Lubbock family is still picking up the pieces of tragic losses that occurred following a crash, but they must now face another obstacle.

Back on Oct. 3, 2023, a crash near Guthrie killed 27-year-old Ashley Peppers, her son, 3-year-old Thomas Cole, and her boyfriend 32-year-old Christian Trattles. Peppers was survived by one daughter whom her mother Jolene Newsom stepped up to raise. Jolene and her husband Ray worked together to take care of 5-year-old Brooklyn.

Ray unexpectedly died in late October leaving Jolene devastated and at a loss on how she is going to pay for his cremation, their bills and fix her vehicle or find a new one, as her current car broke down three days before Ray’s death.

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Jolene said Ray was the one who worked and provided for the family “so everything is just a mess” since his death.

“[Brooklyn] she’s not handling it very well, she’s very angry most of the time,” added Jolene.

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