The first signs of healing after a July head-on collision took four lives could be seen on Saturday morning as a large number of citizens turned out for a yard sale and fundraiser to benefit the families who lost loved ones in the July 15 accident.
Cheryl Bailey of Wadesboro, who was driving the Chrysler van that hit the Robinson family’s Audi head-on July 15, made her first public appearance since the accident. “It’s really the first time I’ve been out and it was hard, but I knew I needed to do this today,” she said.
The accident seriously injured Bailey, who is still in a wheelchair, as well as Rose Robinson of Ansonville, who was a front-seat passenger when the wreck occurred. Killed in the accident were Rose Robinson’s husband, Ryan Robinson, their daughter, Latavia Robinson, 15, and grandchildren, Latresha Wall, 13, and Taleya Wall, 10.
Judy Little, who owns You Are So Special Beauty Salon on West Caswell Street in Wadesboro, organized the fundraiser, which raised a grand total of $1,600. Little was in tears for most of the day, she said, overwhelmed at the generosity of Anson County. “It has been great,” she said Saturday morning. “The yard has been filled since 6 a.m. … Anson has been a good Samaritan. I’ve had tears of joy to see the love that’s been poured out.”
Donations were coming in all day long. In fact, Little said on Monday that “even as we were loading up the leftover donations, more donations were coming in. We have a room halfway full that was donated for the cause and the barbers and cosmetologists are asking that you contact Rev. Judy Little at (cell) 704-475-4904 or (salon) 704-994-YASS and purchase a stuffed bag.” When all the bags are sold, the funds will be divided between Rose Robinson and Cheryl Bailey, Little said, “because it was given to benefit these two ladies, [and] we want to sell every item that was given to benefit them.”
Rose Robinson, Little pointed out, still has a surviving daughter, Tameka L. Little, who has three more children, in addition to the two killed in the accident. On Saturday, Ronald Little brought out a bouncy castle for children, James Paxton donated a popcorn machine, and John and Donna Liles donated the popcorn. Sales from these three areas went directly to Robinson for her remaining three grandchildren.
Judy Little’s husband, Oscar, also provided food for the event, cooking fish sandwiches and hot dogs. That money will be divided between Robinson and Bailey, Little said.
The event was about more than raising money, however. “We have to pick people up when they’re down,” Little said. “Cheryl needed to know that nobody blames her. She needs to know that everyone’s praying for her. It was an accident, and we all realize that.”
Bailey said she’s “physically OK” but “emotionally, I’m taking it day by day.”
She said she was speechless when she arrived at the event, and saw the large crowd. “I decided yesterday that I needed to come because I had not been out. I’d told Judy I wouldn’t be able to make it, but I decided I needed to come. I’ve got a lot of hard weeks ahead, but I know it’s even harder for the Robinson family.”
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