Upon K.J.’s passing, his mother found herself grappling not only with the profound loss of her son but also the financial burdens associated with arranging a funeral. Singleton had been compelled to resign from her job to care for K.J., and in addition to mourning her son, she had other responsibilities, including caring for her other children and ailing parents, as reported by Channel 7 Detroit News.
While K.J. was laid to rest in a family plot that had been pre-paid, the financial strain prevented his grave from having a headstone. Despite the challenges, Kaleb, referring to his best friend’s mother affectionately as Ms. San, felt compelled to act. Witnessing her inability to afford a headstone for K.J., Kaleb expressed his sadness and a desire for people to locate K.J.’s grave easily.
Kaleb took matters into his own hands, collecting and reselling soda bottles. Additionally, he launched a crowdfunding page with a goal of $2,500, sharing his mission with the world. Driven by the goal of having K.J.’s headstone in place by Christmas, the public responded with swift generosity. By the time Christmas arrived, Kaleb had successfully raised the funds and presented them to K.J.’s mom.
Singleton, deeply moved by the unexpected support, shared her emotions with CNN, saying, “I cried because it was unexpected. I cried because I’m trying to figure out things from day to day.” She expressed gratitude for being able to see her son’s final resting place and be with him. Reflecting on Kaleb’s genuine and beautiful gesture, she remarked on the bittersweet nature of the moment, stating, “It’s finalizing everything for me. I’ve wanted to get his headstone, but at the same time, it’s making everything final for me.”
