Grieving mom accepts high school diploma on behalf of her late daughter: 'Mama loves you...'

In a heartbreaking and emotional moment, Texas mother, Roshaunda Carr, attended the graduation ceremony on behalf of her late daughter, Jakayla Gardner Carr, to accept her high school diploma. Roshaunda's daughter died unexpectedly due to epilepsy. With tears in her eyes, Roshaunda turned the graduation ceremony into a tribute for her daughter. The emotional moment was captured on camera and was shared on various social media platforms by several media houses. Jakayla was a student at University High School located in Waco.

As reported by Fox 8 Live, Roshaunda said, "It’s bittersweet. Jakayla is the first out of her siblings to graduate, so today is just a lot of emotions.” She added, “She’s very, very proud. She’s probably behind me doing a silly dance as we do the interview. She’s proud.” Roshaunda concluded by saying, "I love you. Mama loves you. You did it. Congratulations, baby girl.” As reported by People Magazine, the emotional mother also wore a gown and a cap that featured a photo of her late daughter, in an attempt to keep her daughter's name and memory alive. While Jakayla wasn't a fan of the graduation gown and cap, her mother proudly wore it in her late daughter's honor. 

The Texas mother recalled the unfortunate day when Jakayla took her last breath. Last year, on October 6th, she texted her daughter to remind her to take her medicine on time, not knowing it would be her last day. When she didn't receive any response, Roshaunda panicked and checked on her Jakayla. Unfortunately, Jakayla had passed away in her sleep due to a seizure. Jakayla was 19 at the time of her death. Roshaunda also revealed that Jakayla was fighting the disease since she was just 11 years old and struggled with weekly seizures.

Recollecting the difficulties her daughter faced when alive, Roshaunda said, “There were days that I knew she was tired from having seizures. She would have them in school, at local restaurants here in Waco, she would have them in the car.” Despite this, the 19-year-old fought bravely, enjoying life to the fullest. Her mother said, “Jaykayla didn’t give up; she fought effortlessly. She was a diva, she rapped, she sang, she wrote music.” Meanwhile, Roshaunda further revealed that Jakayla was a kind human who always wanted to help the homeless, the elderly, and stood up for people," as per the KWTX report.

In honor of her late daughter, Roshaunda aspires to start the Kayla’s Place 19 nonprofit organization. She said the organization will be a place people with epilepsy can visit for counseling and medical assistance. She is certain Jakayla would be proud of her mom as she worked for a cause close to her heart and also kept her memory alive in the best way possible. Roshaunda said, “I know that Jakayla would want me to continue this for her. I know that she would want me to make sure no one else would have to go through seizures, epilepsy, and fighting on a daily basis, and not have an outlet.”