NORFOLK
Two young adults killed Monday night in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 64 will be remembered at funeral services this weekend.
Jimmy Arness Roberson Jr., 20, and Breanne Candera Mahon, 18, died when the car they were in went off the road and hit a tree, according to the State Police.
The two were dedicated cheerleaders who had planned to pursue a future in the sport, according to Dywon Fisher, who coached both at Fame All Stars gym in Virginia Beach.
"They both always had a smile on their face," Fisher said. "They were inseparable."
Mahon’s service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Wave Church, 1000 N. Great Neck Road in Virginia Beach. The burial will follow at Princess Anne Memorial Park.
Her family will receive friends at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home in the Lynnhaven Chapel on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to uniteforsight.org.
Roberson’s funeral will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Metropolitan Funeral Service’s Granby Street Chapel, 7246 Granby Street, Norfolk. His interment will be private.
More than 100 people attended a candlelight vigil Tuesday night at the Fame All Stars gym, according to an employee.
Roberson, who went by "Jay," had just finished his first semester at Trinity Valley Community College in Texas, where he had received a cheerleading scholarship, Fisher said. Mahon, a 2008 graduate of Kellam High School, was hoping to make the Virginia Tech cheerleading team, he said.
"Jay was always full of energy," Fisher said. "I always put him at the center of my dances because I could count on him to pull it through."
Mahon had worked her way back into the sport after a leg injury, Fisher said.
Roberson lived in the 5000 block of Shinfield Drive and Mahon lived in the 1000 block of Tennyson Road, according to the State Police.
Investigators said they are not sure why the Acura hit a guardrail on the left side of I- 64 near Tidewater Drive on Monday night. The driver lost control, ran off the right side and hit a tree, Sgt. Michelle Cotten said.
Alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the crash, Cotten said. Investigators couldn't determine whether the two were wearing seat belts.
Fisher said everyone at the gym, and people across the country who knew Roberson and Mahon through competitions, were devastated.
"I just can't believe it," he said.
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Very sad....
This is very tragic. I lit a candle for these two and will keep their friends and families in my prayers. They were so, so young. Very sad.
Jaybird
I was a cheerleader with Jay at Ferrum College & I would just like to speak for all of us cheerleaders from the 2006-2007 squad when I say how much we love him & how terribly bad we will miss him. We competed in The American Open competiton in Florida & won the title of 2007 National Champions & I must say Jay was a big reason that we made it that far. We had girls on the squad that year, including myself, who learned how to tumble, & to fly, all because Jay dedicated his time to teach all of us. He was the heart & soul of our squad, he was also the only male, & he was always a shoulder to cry on for all 12 of us girls. When I hear people talk about Jay, all I keep hearing about is his big smile, & it's so true. Just to walk in a room with him present, no matter what your mood was..happy, mad, or sad..you couldn't help but smile & laugh a little & just want to hug him..just for being the person that he is. Only the good die young..I keep trying to tell myself that to ease the pain. I can't believe how someone I've only known a couple of years could impact my life so much..we all love you Jaybird, keep an eye out on all of us. love always & forever, Sara & all the rest of your Ferru
condolences
This is very tragic. They were beautiful people.
Very nice DE
It's not the time to rub salt in the survivors wounds.
Heartfelt condolences to the friends and families.
Coach Jay will be missed.
Coach Jay always lit up the room with his infectious HUGE smile. He will be missed by the FAME family for a long time to come. On facebook one FAME parent posted a tribute video to Jay. The video shoed Jay patiently working with her young daughter, Emma. Emma's mom made the point that some people come in and out of our lives - but they leave footprints that can last a life time. She ended her video tribute to Jay by stating simply that her young daughter "E" will make Jay proud. I believe that. I am a Christian. The Bible gives us only a brief and cryptic description of what we will find when we arrive in heaven. I am guessing that perhaps now we can expect that there will also be cheerleading in heaven. It makes sense really. Jesus was all about lifting up others. If so, Coach Jay is already doing what he loved as he watches over his “kids“ from heaven. For those of you reading this that are cheerleaders, can you imagine the amazing flyers that angels can make? Jay will be blessed - just as he blessed all of us at FAME.