Just a week ago, 11-year-old Kayden Ely experienced the devastating loss of his mother, Shannon Mount. Her sudden death left Kayden and his four siblings not only without their mother but also in a dire financial situation.
In a heartfelt effort to raise money for his mother’s funeral, Kayden took to the streets of his small Georgia town, asking for help. For two days, the grieving boy stood by the railroad tracks, holding a sign that read, “Please help me bury my mama!”
A Grieving Boy’s Desperate Plea for Help.
Shannon Mount, 45, suffered a cardiac arrest on July 8. Her boyfriend, Billy Upton, tried to save her by performing CPR until paramedics arrived and successfully revived her. Despite spending several days on life support, she ultimately passed away.
Without life insurance and facing the staggering costs of her eight days in emergency care—along with burial expenses—Kayden found himself unable to afford the luxury of grieving his mother. Determined to give her a proper farewell, he took matters into his own hands.
With his homemade sign, Kayden spent hours by the roadside, hoping that passing motorists would notice him and lend a helping hand.
The community quickly rallied around him, offering donations, hugs, and prayers. They shared his story on social media and reached out to local news outlets for more exposure. Some even helped him set up a hotdog stand to raise additional funds.
The outpouring of generosity continued, with an anonymous donor stepping forward to cover the cost of a burial plot, and several local businesses placing jars to collect spare change. The Good Shepherd funeral home also offered the family a substantial discount on services.
GoFundMe Campaign Surpasses Goal by More Than Ten Times
Moved by Kayden’s strength and determination to secure a resting place for his mother, his cousin and guardian, Jennifer Grissom, launched a GoFundMe campaign.
“Shannon did not have life insurance, leaving her 11-year-old without the only person he ever knew,” Jennifer explained on the campaign page. “For two days, he has been standing on the side of the road with a sign to help bury his mama.”
Jennifer initially set a modest goal of $7,100, which was just enough to cover the funeral costs, often exceeding $12,000 in some states. However, once the campaign went live, donations began to pour in, and the $7,100 goal quickly surpassed $70,000. Over 1,700 people contributed, united by the belief that “no child should ever have to worry about paying for a funeral.”
Jennifer plans to use the extra funds to ensure Kayden can participate in typical childhood activities, such as sports and camps. She also intends to purchase clothes, school supplies, and essentials for him, as well as start a college fund.
In an update on the campaign, she shared, “Today we took him to Walmart to buy a bed set and a few things he needed.”
She added, “When we were leaving, his aunt asked, ‘Why are you so happy?’ and he replied, ‘Me and mama didn’t have much money; we were poor, and I didn’t get to go buy stuff like this.’ All he got was a bed set, toothbrush, pillows, and pillowcases. He is so thankful. Thank you all for making him smile.”
Most importantly, a grieving young boy is getting his wish. Shannon, described in her obituary as a “straight shooter who loved her kids fiercely,” will be properly laid to rest at the end of the month.
Paying It Forward
In appreciation of his community’s remarkable support, Kayden decided to give back. He set up another hotdog stand, but this time, he offered food and drinks for free—a touching gesture from an 11-year-old.
In a brief Facebook video with Jennifer, he expressed his gratitude to everyone for their donations and for helping to spread the word within the community. He noted that, beyond the financial assistance, the emotional support meant even more.
“We want to thank everybody who stopped,” Jennifer said. “There were people who just wanted to give him a hug or pray with him and express their condolences.”
“Some came by to help us cook hot dogs. A man even stopped to hold a sign with us. That means so much to us; it really does.”
Grief can be incredibly isolating, especially after losing the most important person in your life. At just 11 years old, Kayden shouldn’t have to endure such profound loss. However, with the support of his community, he may feel a little less alone.