Church remembers Bristol Township mom, sons, who were killed in crash

If one were to summarize the final chapter of the Tisdale family, it would be a tale about dreams so close to being realized before tragedy struck.

The Bristol Township family was fractured forever Friday when their vehicle collided with a tractor trailer allegedly making an illegal U-turn on Route 1 in Lawrence Township, N.J.

Killed were Jamella Tisdale and her sons, 3-month-old Jaden and 9-year-old Jaevon. The infant's father, Shaqwan, and Jamella's 8-year-old daughter, Mellady Durante, survived but were hospitalized.

On Sunday, the family was remembered at Spotlight Deliverance Temple in Bristol, where the Tisdales regularly worshiped.

"Shaqwan was just coming out with a CD and he was headed to a church in Trenton for a CD release service," said fellow congregant Vincent Washington. "He never made it. They were a beautiful family; things were working out for them."

Jamella Tisdale had just had her own little miracle?? the successful delivery of Jaden?? as the family was about to give up hope, said the Rev. Philip Jackson, pastor of Spotlight Deliverance Temple.

During his sermon, Jackson recalled Jamella's heartbreaking appeal to him following a miscarriage five years ago, when she asked, "Where is God?" But the congregation continued to pray until finally, a joyful Jamella told Jackson that she was pregnant.

"I have no answer for you" as to why all those lives were taken, Jackson told his congregation. "I know we have to accept what God allows. We have to trust in the Lord. But this is the time for all of our families to embrace one another."

Several worshipers bowed their heads in sorrow, but, in a demonstration of hope, also stood and raised arms, and rejoiced in what Bishop Frank T. Stephens Sr. called the presence of God.

"We remember that Jesus wept when Lazarus died. That was the human side of him. But let us continue to support one another. Let us now love as never before," Stephens said.

He also asked his flock to continue to pray for the survivors of the accident, and to thank God for life.

Washington said that the church is planning to set up a trust fund for the family. Details on how and where to contribute will be available in the next few days.

The family lived in Bloomsdale, just around the corner from Deborah Tiller, who is also a church member.

"That family was such a blessing to us," Tiller said." Shaqwan loved to sing. They'd been waiting so anxiously for this new baby to be born. When I think about it, I just keep crying."

"They are very nice. They are very respectful," said Tiffany, a neighbor of the Tisdales who just wanted to give her first name. "I am just so sorry for what happened. It is very sad."

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/52672158/ns/local_news-delaware_valley_pa_nj/

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