For 27 years, Sonya Baldwin’s sunny disposition and ever-positive attitude greeted customers at the Hardee’s just off Highway 45 in Columbus.
On Thursday afternoon, community members gathered in the Hardee’s parking lot to return Baldwin’s kindness after her daughter, Ashanti Jade Turner, 25, was the victim of a homicide earlier this week. Her body was found Tuesday outside an abandoned duplex apartment on Industrial Street.
Damian Peterson, 31, Turner’s boyfriend, is charged with Turner’s murder, according to Columbus Police Department Public Information Officer Bryan Moore. He was initially named a person of interest and was arrested Wednesday on unrelated charges of two counts of aggravated assault and one count of shooting into a dwelling before the murder charge was added Thursday evening.
Daniel Hudson, who along with his wife Hollie helped organize the event at Hardee’s, said he had just called the restaurant’s corporate office on Monday to brag on Baldwin. After hearing that Turner had passed away the next day, the Hudsons turned to the community to garner support for the family.
“As soon as we found out, I told (Hollie) she should make a GoFundMe,” he said. “I told people to show up (today) because we need to support the family.”
They started a GoFundMe for the Baldwin family to raise money for funeral expenses and other costs, raising a little more than $6,000 of the $10,000 goal by press time Thursday.
“Sonya is the most selfless, loving, kind and caring person that you will ever come across,” Hollie Hudson wrote for the GoFundMe. “She has changed so many lives here in Columbus, (Mississippi) and with the help from the community, I hope this will take some of the burden off of her shoulders.”
Baldwin told The Dispatch she was shocked when she pulled into the parking lot to see a crowd of more than 50 people waiting for her arrival.
The crowd released balloons in Turner’s memory and Vice Mayor and Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens led those gathered in prayer for the family.
“I just thought it was going to be a little thing where we let the balloons go,” she said. “I just couldn’t believe that so many folks came out.”
Ebony Baldwin, another one of Baldwin’s daughters, told The Dispatch the crowd was a testament to her mother’s impact in the community.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “It’s something you dream about. It seems so crazy that the little things, the hospitality, the blessing that mama is to everyone, turned into this.”
For those in the crowd, it was no surprise that a group so large had shown up to support the Baldwins. Many of the people there have been on the receiving end of Sonya’s signature smile for years.
“Sonya’s so sweet,” Lois Moody, a former coworker of Sonya Baldwin’s, told The Dispatch. “Every time you see her, she has a smile on her face. She’ll make you feel better, and when you come to Hardee’s, she brings the sunshine.”
Moody said attending the event was about more than just returning that kindness. She was there to show support during what she knows is a life-altering event.
“It means a lot to be here,” she said. “Losing a child is really hard. I’ve lost a child … so I somewhat feel what she’s going through. My heart goes out to her.”
Dorothy Hairston, who was also in the crowd, said she was there as a show of solidarity to the family.
“We’re here because it could be my child,” she said. “It could be somebody else’s child. You just never know.”
Sonya and Ebony Baldwin both agreed Ashanti Turner – who went by Jade – was the outgoing one in the family.
“She was outspoken, Ebony told The Dispatch. “She’s the one that if it popped into her head, it usually popped out of her mouth.”
During the gathering Thursday, Mickens urged the crowd to donate to the family to help cover funeral and burial expenses.
“We’re asking you out here in the city of Columbus, if you have something you can give, then do it,” he said. “Money ain’t going to take away their pain. Money is not going to take away their hurt, but (it) can help.
“From the council’s standpoint and the (police department’s) standpoint, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure justice is served,” he added.
Those who would like to support the Baldwin family can donate through the Hudsons’ GoFundMe page. There is also a collection jar at the Hardee’s on Highway 45 where people can donate.
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 26 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
