Copyright M Live Michigan
JACKSON, MI — Over 100 red and blue balloons were released into the air Thursday in front of Jackson High School. Dozens of people embraced each other and shouted, “We love you,” as they watched them slowly disappear above the horizon. Families and friends were gathered to remember 18-year-old Marcell Oliver Jr., who died in a crash involving a wrong-way driver four days ago on U.S. 131, south of Grand Rapids in Allegan County. Three others also died in the crash. His grandmother Shronda Oliver said he was a freshman at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, majoring in sports management. She said he hoped to become an agent or recruiter. Oliver was a 2025 Jackson High School graduate and member of the wrestling team. He was the son of Lorrin Murray and Marcell Oliver Sr. Marcell Oliver Jr.’s family organized the vigil at the high school, where “#Forever Marcells world” was painted on the rock at the front of the building. His aunt Neoshia Clements, called “Ya-Ya” by Oliver, said they had a special bond because he was her first nephew. She said she would visit from Atlanta to see him at work at RJ’s Burgers and Ice Cream Co., where she’d buy him food and catch up his latest interests in music. “He was so loving and huggy,” Clements said. “He was so silly and goofy, liked to wrestle and play fight. He was the best.” He loved watching boxing with his dad and was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Clements said. Shronda said Oliver used to love Michael Jackson as a child and would copy his dance moves from music videos. Their favorite thing to do together was sing in the car, particularly “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys. “He was super quiet, very nonchalant,” Shronda said. “But, when he broke out of the shell… When you come out, you pop out, you know. Very special kid.” Antwain Clarke graduated with Oliver and was friends with him for 10 years. He said some of his favorite memories were the two of them playing Fortnite and NBA 2K and talking over the phone. “He was funny. He had a nasty laugh, but it was recognizable,” Clarke said. Tay’Shawn Smithgrove, a senior at Jackson High School, was on the wrestling team with Oliver. He described Oliver as talkative and cheerful, and he enjoyed joking with him at tournaments. “He wasn’t necessarily the best (at wrestling), but he was a very hard worker,” Smithgrove said. “He fought hard every single match. I never seen him give up.” Jackson High School principal Monica Pierce said losing Oliver hurt. She noted the school community has lost several people recently, including 18-year-old Mia Sims, a Jackson High School graduate fatally shot in July while fetching food outside a church. Pierce said Oliver was a quiet kid. “Marcell was a true Viking... We’re proud that he was graduate of Jackson High. We’re sad that he’s gone, and we’ll miss him dearly,” Pierce said. “Thank you to the family for raising such a wonderful, respectful young man – We appreciate that. He was amazing here.” Marcell Oliver Jr. was one of the two young men who died in the U.S. 131 crash, his grandmother confirmed at the remembrance. He and several others were in a Ford Fusion early Sunday, Nov. 2, heading north when a driver in a Subaru Legacy made a U-turn and went south in the northbound lanes, hitting the Fusion, police reported. The at-fault driver, also killed in the crash, was identified as Erin Louise Jones, 38, of Grand Rapids, the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office reported. Emmanuel Browning, 18, of Kalamazoo, the Fusion driver, and another of the passengers in the Ford Fusion, 17-year-old Alayiah Lazzara, a Portage Northern High School student, also died. The Ford Fusion was traveling in the correct direction, police said.
