Johnny Le Drowns at The Cliffs

D'IBERVILLE -- A St. Martin High School student drowned the day after he marched with his 2012 class in graduation ceremonies on Monday.

He was a member of the school's tennis team and was a statewide high school All-Star.

Reports at wlox.com, sunherald.com and Mississippi Press said that Johnny Le, 18, died Tuesday, May 22, as he attempted to swim across the Tchoutacabouffa River to a rope swing. He and friends were at what is known as The Cliffs, also called Redneck Beach.

D'Iberville Police Lt. Terry Hines told the media that Le and a friend were swimming when he disappeared under water and did not resurface. Bystanders and Le's friends tried to help, but county and city police divers retrieved his body by 2:15 p.m., about an hour after the incident was first reported.

Hines and Police Chief Wayne Payne believe under currents and debris in the river can snag swimmers, resulting in drownings that took Le's life and that of 20-year-old DeAndre Westbrook, who died in the same area March 31.

"This is true tragedy and just another example of the dangers of swimming in that area," said Payne.

Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove will conduct an autopsy, law officials told the media.

(Photo of Johnny Le found at Sun Herald)

Funeral Services for Daegan Stallworth

OCEAN SPRINGS -- After a school tribute this week and wake services Friday night, the family of Daegan Stallworth will say their final goodbyes to the 17-year-old today.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is handling services for the sophomore student at Ocean Springs High School.

Numerous tributes about Deagan and words of comfort have been made to his family:

On the tribute page provided by Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, teacher Melissa DeAngelo said that Deagan was a "charismartic young man. I taught him at the middle school, and his smile will always be in mind."

Read his obituary at bradfordokeefe.com and add tributes at both the funeral site and here at MemoriesAlways posts.

Daegan L. Stallworth "Jhafarris," 17, of Ocean Springs, MS., entered this world on October 21, 1994, and departed on Sunday, May 13, 2012.

Daegan touched many people along his journey on earth and now continues this journey as a guardian angel. Daegan attended Ocean Springs High School where he played football.

He was preceded in death by his paternal great-grandparents, Claude and Mary Lett, maternal great-grandparents, Benjamin and Marie Chenier and an aunt, Brenda Weber.

Survivors include his father and best friend, Patrick Stallworth, his mother, who was his heart and mommabear, Dana Sherrie Stallworth, and sister and buddy, Daelin Alexandra Stallworth.

He is also survived by two half-brothers, Charles Nelson and Dominque Stallworth, paternal grandparents, Mark Stallworth Sr. and Eva Mae Fairley and maternal grandparents, Vincent Richard and Maggie Richard.

Daegan also leaves to treasure his memory many aunts, uncles, cousins, teachers and friends too numerous to count who will all remember how Daegan touched their lives.

The family would like to thank the Ocean Springs High School and community who showed extended love for Daegan "Jhafarris" Stallworth. The balloon launch, flower toss, t-shirts made and the playing of his music by all his friends means a lot.

Daegan "Jhafarris" was truly a guardian angel. He loved his family, friends, football and creating music. He leaves unity and love for his family. He leaves happiness and smiles, along with "just live man" for his friends. He leaves the love of the sport football and all those he played with. He leaves his music in which he will forever be heard. He entered this earth as an angel and now he departs to guard and protect.

Visitation will be on Friday, May 18, 2012, from 5 pm until 8 pm, at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home.

On Saturday, May 19, 2012, there will be a 10 am chapel service in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Crestlawn Memorial Park.

Pastor Jeff Ulmer of New Life Family Church in Biloxi and Pastor Jeremy Ulmer, who baptized Daegan, will do the honors for the service. The church played a great impact on his life.

Be at peace son and continue to work for God as our guardian angel such as you did here on earth.

Daegan Stallworth

(Photo by Ocean Springs School District)

OCEAN SPRINGS -- Staff, students and friends are sharing the grief felt by the family of a 17-year-old killed Sunday afternoon in a wreck that injured two other students.

OSHS Student Killed in Accident, 2 Teens Hospitalized

WLOX-TV 13/Monday, May 14, 2012

Daegan Stallworth died of head trauma, according to news reports from the county coroner, during the single vehicle accident on Old CCC Camp Road, near Riley Road, in Jackson County. Law enforcement officials have indicated that speed was a factor in the wreck on the narrow road.

Chase Braddock, 19, and a 17-year-old girl also were injured in the accident.

Stalllworth was a sophomore, running back on the football team and a track member for the OSHS Greyhounds.

Kelsey Williams

OCEAN SPRINGS -- Before this past Sunday students at Ocean Springs High School were still grieving the loss of senior Kelsey Williams.

William, 18, died May 2, 2012, of natural causes, according to media reports. She was three weeks away from graduation. Jay and Kathleen Williams will accept their daughter's diploma in her memory.

Now staff and students are also dealing with the death of Daegan Stallworth, who died in a vehicle wreck on Old CCC Camp Road on May 13.