SAN ANTONIO – One week after a tragic stabbing that claimed the life of 23-year-old Marcus Coley, his family is transforming their grief into meaningful community action.
Marcus Coley was fatally stabbed near the San Antonio Central Library on May 25, a death that the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled a homicide. His family is left to mourn the loss of a son, brother, and friend.
“These last couple of days have been unbearable,” expressed Edna Coley, Marcus’ mother, as she navigates the overwhelming sadness of losing her child.
The San Antonio police have arrested a suspect, 33-year-old Kenneth Dale Hollingsworth Jr., who is now facing murder charges in connection with the case.
“He was a father, he was a brother, he was a nephew, and he was my child,” Edna reflected, highlighting the many roles Marcus played in the lives of those who loved him.
In the face of their pain, Edna and her daughter Jazzmyne Coley are determined to keep Marcus’s spirit alive. They’ve turned their sorrow into a mission to help others, believing that Marcus would want them to take action. “My brother would want me to step forward to help people,” Jazzmyne said, showing the resilience of their family.
This inspiration led to the creation of the “Marcus Feeds 100” initiative. On a recent Wednesday, the family distributed bagged lunches to those in need near downtown shelters. “In the lunch bag, it was things that we know Marcus enjoyed,” said Edna, infusing the effort with personal touches that pay homage to her son’s life.
The family aims to reach individuals who may have faced challenges similar to those Marcus encountered. “He was trying to figure out life,” Edna explained, emphasizing the importance of their outreach.
“(Wednesday) made us realize how much he really did have an impact on the people out there,” Jazzmyne added, reflecting on the connections they made during their community service.
A public viewing for Marcus is set for this Saturday at noon at the Bell & Bell Funeral Home, providing an opportunity for friends and family to celebrate his life and remember the positive influence he had on others.
