NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Certain moments live in a mother's heart, Kendra Hicks will always remember this one. She shared it on social media.
"About two to three years ago Cameron's best friends took him to Huntsville, Alabama to see Jelly Roll," said Hicks. "Jelly sees Cameron in the audience and motions for his security to bring him and his friends back."
A terminal illness causing muscle loss kept her son in a wheelchair but not from experiencing life.
"They said he would not live to be 15 so Cameron lived past 15 he graduated high school he went to prom," said Hicks.
From Titans season tickets, to his podcast Reels on Wheels and concerts with his best friends, Hicks wanted Cameron Parker to experience it all.
"After the concert he calls me and I don't know how he is in his wheelchair he is flying high and he said 'momma I met Jelly Roll'," said Hicks.
In July, Cameron's health took a turn, respiratory failure put him in the hospital. Kendra quit her job to take care of her son full time. In late October Cameron was life flighted to Vanderbilt.
When Jelly Roll heard about Cameron, he sent over a video.
Cameron died October 30, 2024 and Jelly Roll covered all of Cameron's funeral expenses.
Hicks now sees the light her son brought to the world, live on in a very special way.
"Cameron was not an organ donor we did not think his organs were any good but they looked and they thought he could save some people so we agreed to it," said Hicks. "Cameron saved four children and an adult."
And Jelly Roll was his hero.
"Jelly Roll had a way of showing that your circumstances don't define you," said Hicks. "They don't have to be held hostage to their circumstances given the cards that they were dealt and that spoke to Cameron."
Hicks will continue on Cameron's podcast Reels on Wheels.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at (Kim.Rafferty@newschannel5.com).
There are still so many families in East Tennessee hurting following the floods from Hurricane Helene in September. That made this year's running of the Santa Train extra special for many families in the northeast part of the state. This special Santa Express has been making an annual run in part of Appalachia for over 80 years.
-Lelan Statom