Almost a year after she lost her son Jaylan, Marsha McWilson has released a new song in his memory.
“Gone Away Blues” was released earlier this month and is available for listening at www.marshamcwilson.com and streaming platforms. The four-minute song has McWilson mourning the loss of her firstborn child, how she never thought she would be in this position, and how God will turn this situation around.
The song is also dedicated to the 10 people who lost their lives in the Buffalo Tops mass shooting of May 14, 2022.
Jaylan was shot to death Jan. 21, 2023, with a semi-automatic gun in front of the McWilson household, on the 1100 block of South Avenue. He was 24 years old.
Dennis D. Parson, 19, of Amherst, was charged with second-degree murder, attempted first-degree robbery, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, in connection with Jaylan’s death. Parson has pleaded not guilty.
Since then, Marsha and her husband Howard become advocates against gun violence, hosting an anti-violence rally two weeks after Jaylan’s death and other celebrations of his life throughout the year. Marsha has also helped support other families that unexpectedly lost loved ones.