The mother of the 6-year-old who died after he was shot at a South Carolina elementary school said her son was an “angel” who taught her to love God.
Jacob Hall succumbed to his injuries Saturday after he was shot in the playground of Townville Elementary School four days before. His mother, Renae Hall , courageously spoke to reporters just hours after he died, saying his purpose on earth was to show love, kindness and forgiveness.
Hall said she and her son had a bond like no other. Jacob loved his parents, and had a “big” and “bright” imagination that he used to tell stories, she said.
Prayer was a big part of Jacob’s life, according to his mother. He would pray like a “grown man” and would pray for those he knew were sick, she said.
The grieving mother said Jacob is smiling down from heaven and is teaching her to love God and how to forgive from afar.
“Jacob taught me to love God,” Hall said. “Jacob loved God so much that he was not afraid to go home to God.”
Hall lamented that when she was sad or had a bad day, her son would touch her face and remind her to pray to Jesus, because “Jesus would make it okay,” she said.
It took Jacob’s death to remind Hall that “there are still good people in this world,” she said, adding that she “stopped” watching the news because every day she would learn that someone else had gotten killed.
“Jacob’s death showed me that wasn’t what the world’s about,” Hall said. “The world’s about people coming together in a time of crisis, and helping people that they don’t even know.”
One day, Jacob told his parents that he had “secret” superpowers, Hall said. Perhaps that’s why it’s so fitting that he’ll have a superhero-themed funeral.
Jacob’s uncles and brothers, who will serve as pallbearers at the funeral, will each be dressed in superhero costume, WSPA reported. His parents have also asked that attendees dress as their favorite superhero as well.
Jacob’s funeral will take place on Wednesday.