news-record.com

PLEASANT GARDEN — A local organization will host a benefit walk Saturday to help raise money to pay for the tombstones of the Pleasant Garden shooting victims.

In November, Mary Ann Holder shot to death her two sons, Dylan Smith, 17, and Zack Smith, 14; her niece, Hana Suttles, 8; her nephew, Ricky Suttles, 17; and her son's girlfriend, Makayla Woods, 15. Holder, 36, then committed suicide.

Saturday's "Walk for Life" will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hagan-Stone Park whether its rainy or sunny, organizers said.

The money will go to a fund for the Suttles, Smith and Woods families managed by Pleasant Garden Baptist Church and will cover the cost of the five children's tombstones.

Isaiah Jackson, a walk organizer, who attended school with Makayla Woods, said the goal is to raise $7,000 for the fund. Rocky Smith, Holder's ex-husband and the father of two victims, plans to give excess funds to another charity, Jackson said.

Registration for the walk will begin at 9 a.m. The entry fees are as follows:

• $5 per single person
• $10 per group of 2-5 people
• $15 per group of 6-10 people
• $20 per group of 11 or more people

Rocky Smith and Christina Smith, Holder's daughter, will speak and perform music at the event, which will have other entertainment and refreshments. The J.P.F. Christian organization, whose name stands for just pray for, is co-hosting the event with Pleasant Garden Baptist Church.

Contact Dioni L. Wise at 373-7090 or dioni.wise@news-record.com