Family and friends came together in Lithonia on Wednesday to remember a family killed in a car accident. An 18-year-old woman who lost her brother and parents in the accident joined mourners in remembering the Mallets.
Ainsworth and Jaqueline Mallett, their 12-year-old son Drew died in a crash on the New Jersey Turnpike on Dec. 27. Nikki Mallett, 18, survived the crash. The family was on their way back from a holiday visit.
A candlelight vigil was held on Wednesday at the Golden Krust restaurant in Lithonia, which the Mallets had opened about seven years ago.
Nikki Mallett returned to Georgia after being treated and released from a New Jersey hospital. She made an appearance with her aunt at the vigil but did not speak publicly.
Friends say the family was an important part of metro Atlanta's Jamaican community.
"Jovial folks. Friendly. Easy to get along with. Helped the community in whatever way they can, and they're going to be sadly missed," said Errol Ritchie of the Atlanta Jamaican Association.
Jacqueline Mallett, 49, was an administrative assistant at nearby Stephenson Middle School. Ainsworth Mallett, 51, was well-known in the restaurant business.
The family-owned restaurant re-opened without his leadership and there is a move to keep it going.
"I'm thinking if we were to close down, we practically would be getting rid of Mallett, so keeping it alive is definitely appropriate," said Jacqueline Hawthorne Robinson.
With the funeral for Ainsworth, Jacqueline and Drew Mallett approaching, the attention has turned to helping Nikki Mallett, her aunt and other members with community support and lots of prayer.
The funeral for the Malletts is scheduled for Saturday.
A memorial fund has been established for them at PNC Bank.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:06:52 GMT
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Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:01 GMT
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
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Friday, May 24 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:32:57 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
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Friday, May 24 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:28:55 GMT
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
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Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
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Friday, May 24 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:44:03 GMT
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Friday, May 24 2013 9:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:34:31 GMT
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested by New York City police after investigating a report of her allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building.
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Friday, May 24 2013 9:15 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:15:35 GMT
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Friday, May 24 2013 8:10 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:10:09 GMT
AP photo
Resorts held a grand opening Thursday for Margaritaville, the $35 million restaurant, bar, and gambling complex that's part of a $70 million expansion and renovation.
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Friday, May 24 2013 6:09 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:09:59 GMT
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
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Friday, May 24 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:33:47 GMT
New Jersey Transit bus riders will soon have a new way to get across the Hudson River: by boat. The agency is partnering with New York Waterways, which will provide ferry service to customers. The
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