The late Sgt. Jeffrey Nowell Jr. from Lauderdale passed away unexpectedly this past weekend at the age of 37 due to a pulmonary embolism. This news has deeply affected his family, friends, and the community. Sgt. Nowell was a retired veteran who served our country with honor in Iraq and was discharged from the Army with the rank of Sergeant after almost six years of service.
His father, Jeffrey Nowell, is currently organizing a GoFundMe campaign to raise $10,000 to cover the costs of a proper burial, as the VA will only cover a portion of the expenses. As of today, the campaign has raised $640 from three donations, with contributions from Noah Brigham ($40), Elise Keefe ($100), and Shawn Keefe ($500).
Elise Edmonds Keefe expressed her sorrow on Facebook, sharing, "As if we haven’t suffered enough lately, Shawn’s very close friend & best man passed away this weekend. He is a retired veteran and deserves a proper burial. Please consider donating, and if you’re unable to, we would really appreciate you sharing. Thank you."
Other community members have also shared their condolences and support. Makennaih Guerra-Hopkins commented, "So sorry y’all are experiencing this," to which Elise Edmonds Keefe replied, "Thank you." Jill Williams and Brittany Murray Bunnell also expressed their sympathies, saying, "So sorry for your loss" and "Sending love," respectively.
The unexpected death of Sgt. Jeffrey Nowell Jr. has left his family unprepared for the financial burden of his burial. His father emphasized the need for support to honor his son’s service and life. The community’s response, though heartfelt, shows that more help is needed to reach the fundraising goal.
Note:This post was written and edited by Carter Lee, based on their expertise and research. It is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. We welcome your feedback and questions on this content. Please feel free to contact us.