South Plainfield family's burial plot to receive a gift of permanent gravestone markers

SOUTH PLAINFIELD – Three years after a grandmother and her four grandchildren died in a house fire, the family's burial site will receive a gift of permanent gravestone markers, thanks to the efforts of a borough teen.

"I feel really good about this now," Hannah Rhoads, 14, a freshman at South Plainfield High School. "I never thought I would reach my goal so quickly. I think Alize would be grateful and pleased. I plan on being there when they install the stones."

Alize Jefferson, 12, who attended Grant School with Hannah; Tyler Davis,7; Christopher Jefferson, 5; Elijah Taylor, 2; and their grandmother, Anne Jefferson, 62, died in an early morning blaze on Feb. 23, 2012 that gutted the three-story, two-family home where they were living on Clinton Avenue. Other residents, including Alize's mother and her three other children, escaped the blaze.

Hannah's mission began when she visited her late friend and classmate's burial site at Hillside Cemetery in Scotch Plains at the end of October.

The teen was sad to see that there were no permanent gravestones at the site.

"I came home and I told my parents how it bothered me that there were tin markers," she said. "I didn't feel right. I was upset. I felt it didn't represent them considering what they went through. I felt they should have stones."

"The reason they had no stones is the family couldn't afford it," her mom, Barbara Rhoads, said.

After expressing her dismay to her mom and dad, Trent, and researching the cost of five gravestones, which was about $5,000, Hannah realized she could not do it alone.

She enlisted the help of her family and The Boyle Memorial Foundation. The fundraiser kicked off in early December with the hopes that the gravestones would be installed by the third anniversary of their deaths.

Information about the fundraiser was put on Facebook. It also was disseminated in the schools and borough newspapers. Fliers were circulated throughout the community and the donations began to pour in.

A teacher of Alize at Grant School, Susan Salles, also helped spread the word, Rhoads said.

Hannah worked with the South Plainfield teachers and staff for "jeans day" that was held at all five borough schools. The event raised about $1,000. Hannah also made more than 100 homemade lollipops, which she sold, along with pretzels, for the cause. She also raised money by shoveling driveways and walking dogs.

But most of the money came from donations from the community.

"We even had a few teachers and parents, who are now living out of state, send donations," Rhoads said.

As of Tuesday, enough money was raised to cover the cost of the markers, which were purchased from Greenbrook Memorials. The markers are scheduled to be installed on the anniversary of their deaths.

"It will make me feel better knowing that there is something better there to represent them, something that shows and pays tribute to them in their final resting place," Hannah said. "I am grateful for all the donations and the support received from the community."

All five of the stones will have a Bible etched in them. Inside the Bible, will be the name and the birth and death dates for each of the deceased. Anne Jefferson's marker also will have praying hands and flowers.

"Silk flowers the colors of the rainbow and small, personal trinkets also will be placed at the graves at the installation," Rhoads said. "Hannah will be visiting frequently to update the flowers and any trinkets she might want to add."

Hannah said she learned of Alize's death while at school.

"The teacher came into my class and said someone from our school passed away," she said. "Everyone got quiet. They didn't tell us who, but I figured it out. It was very sad."

"It was very devastating for Hannah and her friends," her mom said.

A memorial garden was planted outside of Grant School in honor of Alize. A group that included Hannah and her schoolmates, as well as members of the community, gathered outside of the school for a brief ceremony.

"We did 750 purple balloons because that was Alize's favorite color," Rhoads said. "We had five doves — one for each of the victims — donated to us that were released."

The family was told the doves were later seen hovering over the burnt house.

In fact, during Hannah's most recent visit to the cemetery earlier this week, a lone dove was perched in a tree over the grave site.

Hannah said she thinks of her friend often.

"There was a dance a week before the fire and I remember her dancing to the song "We Found Love" by Rihanna. Every time I hear it, I remember Alize."

Staff Writer Susan Loyer: 732-565-7243; sloyer@mycentraljersey.com