Tamekia Wiley is remembering her son, Jarrell Pryor, with fondness for his humor, dance skills, and dedication to being a loving father. Pryor, 26, was tragically found shot to death early on the morning of January 25th, leaving behind his 3-year-old daughter, Honey Jarrell Pryor.
Alexis Hawkins and her boyfriend Brian Winston Jr. have been arrested in connection to Pryor’s death. Pryor, a single dad, had been planning to meet Hawkins, whom he had been messaging on Instagram, for dinner one Saturday evening. However, unbeknownst to Pryor, Hawkins was allegedly texting her real boyfriend and planning a sinister plot against him.
Just hours after meeting Hawkins in person, Pryor was discovered fatally wounded outside his car, having been shot multiple times. Investigators uncovered evidence suggesting a planned ambush by Hawkins and Winston Jr., who have both been charged with murder and attempted robbery.
Pryor’s family is struggling to make sense of the senseless tragedy, mourning the loss of the hardworking and vibrant young man. His daughter, Honey, who now resides with Pryor’s ex, Ja’halha Feemster, deeply misses her father. Pryor’s loved ones are left to cherish his memory and support his daughter, who often wears a shirt with his picture to remember him.
Friends recall Pryor’s infectious humor, charm, and passion for dance, with memories of his Michael Jackson tribute and Usher choreography. Despite the pain of his untimely death, they find solace in remembering the joy he brought to those around him.
In third grade, he started selling candies and erasers to classmates for a small profit. Jarrell Pryor, together with his mother Tamekia Wiley Pryor, played many important roles, but being a father was the most significant. “That girl is just like him,” says Travis Wiley, Pryor’s stepfather, emphasizing their strong resemblance. Pryor had a keen sense of style, which he passed on to his daughter by buying her multiple pairs of Air Jordan sneakers. His friend Randle recalls how Pryor always found a way to mention his daughter, Honey, in conversations. Pryor remained close to Honey and her family both before and after his breakup with her mother, even helping with her siblings at bedtime. N’yalha believes Pryor’s alleged attacker missed an opportunity that night, as she is convinced he would have been a supportive presence in Honey’s life. Hawkins and Winston are currently in custody, maintaining their innocence. Pryor’s family and friends are focused on supporting Honey, hoping she remembers her father in a special way. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, their priority is ensuring Honey’s well-being and cherishing the memory of Pryor.
