Lutheran Basketball Family Rocked By Recent Off-Court Losses

Kevin Payne, Sr. after the 2010 State Championship game.

Winning a basketball championship, La Verne Lutheran certainly knows how to deal with the “highs” of sports. Now they’re dealing with the lows.

Over the last several days, the team and the school have been mourning the loss of three beloved individuals close to the program.

They are:

Kevin Payne, Sr., father of LHS senior shooting guard Kevin Payne, Jr, who was killed last Friday, Sept. 3, in a car accident in Glendora,

Ramona Williams, the grandmother of LHS senior Xavier Jones who died on Saturday, Sept. 4, of heart failure, and

Kenneth Jefferson, LHS’ girls’ coach and father of 2009 MVP Kennyanna Jefferson, who died of cancer.

“They were all known as wise individuals beyond their time and spread a positive message throughout their lives,” said Lutheran varsity basketball coach Eric Cooper. “They will all be greatly missed by everyone. We know that they are in a better place and are watching over our team, school and community.

“It’s has been an emotional week for our guys and our school.”

Cooper canceled Friday and Saturday practice so that team members could attend the multiple funeral services.

Kevin Payne, Sr.

Viewing

Friday, Sept. 10 @ Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary, 4 to 8 p.m. Address: 3801 West Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, Calif. 90305

Funeral:

Saturday, Sept. 11 @ Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary at 8 a.m.

Gift cards/condolences sent to: 10311 Paloma Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90002

Coach Jefferson with daughter Kennyanna and some Trojan players at media day.

Kenneth Jefferson

 

 

Funeral:

Thursday, Sept. 9 @ Ecclesia Christian Fellowship at 10 a.m. Address 1314 Date St., San Bernardino, Calif. Mortuary: 1557 West Baseline St., San Bernardino.

Ramona Williams

There will be no public funeral

The La Verne Lutheran family.