When Lisa Hall talks about her grandson Jahree Robert Pray, she uses a special term of endearment.
“He’s my little infant,” she said. “Even when he was big, he always wanted to lay on me, and I would say, ‘That’s my little infant,’ and he would say, ‘I’m grown,’ and I would say, ‘You’re still my little infant.’”
Jahree, who grew up in West Philadelphia, was looking forward to heading up to Coatesville to work and take care of his uncle. But the day before he was supposed to leave, on Oct. 16, 2018, he was shot and killed at 60th and Market. He was 19 years old.
“I want him to be remembered as a kind and compassionate person,” Lisa said. “Even though he didn’t like to show that, he really was. I love and miss him very much.”
Jahree was born in Philadelphia on Feb. 24, 1999 to Lekisha Hall and Ryan Pray. He had four sisters and a brother.
He attended George Junior Republic in Grove City, Pa. and intended on enrolling in YouthBuild, a program designed to give young adults a chance to graduate from high school while also learning job skills. Jahree’s dream was to go into automotive repair and open his own business.
Jahree, whose nickname was Ree, enjoyed listening to music and playing sports, especially basketball, football and baseball. But what mattered to him most were his relationships, particularly with family.
He was the glue that bonded the different branches of his family tree together.
“He could move through his family with such ease because he was bonded, he was connected, he was close to everybody,” Lisa said. “He was the one who tied us all together, at nineteen years old. Isn’t that something? He individualized his love to each person.”
Jahree also cared about his friends and would not hesitate to help those who are less fortunate.
He lived with Lisa, and there were times when he’d cook for his friends while she was at work: French toast, eggs and turkey bacon.
“He would say, ‘Grandma, they are so poor,’” Lisa said, laughing, and pointing out that their family wasn’t exactly rich themselves. “He would put other people first, to a fault. He had a loyalty, a passion for people, for his friends, for his family.”
What made Jahree special was his smile, Lisa said, “and the way he looked at you so lovingly. He had this loving way. He’d have a fit because I’m talking about him so soft, but he really was like that.”
“He was a good guy, no matter what,” she said. “He loved everybody and everybody loved him. He had a beautiful personality.”
Jahree is laid to rest at Friends Southwestern Burial Ground in Upper Darby.
An award of up to $20,000 if available to anyone that comes forward with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Jahrees murder. Anonymous calls can be submitted by calling the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS.
Date: 2018-10-16
Location: 6000 Market St, Philadelphia, PA
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