Kloes remembered at Danielsville Elem.
10 year old, his great grandmother killed in Morgan Co. accident
BY MARGIE RICHARDS
Ten year old David Kloes was remembered this week by his school, Danielsville Elementary, and his classmates in Kate Brinson’s fourth grade class.
Kloes was killed Saturday morning, along with his great-grandmother, Ruby Brown, 72, in a head-on collision in Morgan County.
On the blackboard in Brinson’s fourth grade class Tuesday afternoon, the name “DAVID” was spelled out prominently on the classroom board. Each letter was used to make another word that reminded his classmates of their friend and fellow student. “D” stood for “Dog” because he loved animals; “A” stood for “lAughter” because he was always laughing; “V” stood for “Video games” because he loved to play them; “I” stood for “Important” because that what he was and the second “D” stood for “Daring” because he was always ready to try again.
David and his great-grandmother died after a 2004 Chevy Suburban, driven by Jacob Steen, 27, Camden, S.C., crossed the centerline and struck their 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis. Six year-old Robert Kloes, David’s younger brother, and a first grader at Danielsville Elementary, was also injured in the accident, according to a spokesperson with the Madison post of the Georgia State Patrol.
The accident happened around 8:30 a.m. Saturday .6 miles south of Seven Islands Road on Hwy. 441 south of the city of Madison.
Misty Kirby, 30, Royston, the boys’ aunt and the driver of the Grand Marquis, suffered visible injuries, the spokesperson said.
Steen, who was not injured in the accident, has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, driving on the wrong side of the road, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of pills in an unmarked prescription bottle. A charge of driving under the influence is pending until blood results are returned, a patrol spokesperson said.
MEMORIES OF DAVID
“He was just the cutest kid, a kind soul and a blessing to us all,” Brinson said Tuesday, tears brimming.
Parapro Heather Thompson said one of David’s best friends, Josiah, told everyone Monday that “David is in heaven and he’ll watch over us.”
Brinson, Thompson and parapro Gail Sellers were in the process Tuesday afternoon of decorating their classroom door in memory of David, putting together photos and other memorabilia for a “memory box” for his family and making plans to plant a red dogwood in his memory on Thursday – the day of his funeral.
His younger brother Robert, they were glad to note, had been released from the hospital as had his aunt.
“They are such an amazing family,” Thompson said. “In the midst of all this they’ve been calling the school to check on all of us.”
“This has shaken us to the core,” principal Angie Waggoner said. “We’re all just devastated.” But with all that, Waggoner said the children have shown remarkable and wisdom in the face of the tragedy.
“He was the hardest worker and he never gave up,” Brinson said. “He had a hard time with words, but he was always ready to try again – he never got angry or frustrated, he just kept on trying.”
Brinson, who was sick and unable to be at school on Monday to comfort her class, spoke to them by speaker phone, principal Angie Waggoner said. “It was very emotional for us all, but she was so good with them.”
School counselor Lynn Joiner also spoke to the class on Monday, Waggoner said. talking with them about accidents and telling them it was OK to feel sad and upset. “He did a great job,” she said.
Sellers noted that there are many photos of David, who just came to Danielsville from Ila Elementary this school year, such as when he dressed up as book character “Officer Buckle” for the school’s Halloween costume contest - and won first place.
Brinson, Sellers and Thompson compiled “My Memories of David,” a compilation of their thoughts and memories of him, such as, “ David was a confident child, especially when it came to things he knew. He could laugh at himself for mistakes he made. He took pride in his work, and when he had done things right.”
Also, “He was tickled by the corny jokes told in class…David was a leader to others in our class, helping out others that needed it…He looked at the world through innocent eyes, never judging others by their faults of their disabilities….His smile and his laughter brightened my day.”
“Most of all David loved his family and spoke of them often. He couldn’t wait to go home at the end of the day. Not a day went by that David didn’t speak of his family and family events. He spoke of ‘Robert’s party,’ Marcie’s job,’ his love for skateboarding and the he couldn’t wait for his own birthday this summer….(and) He was looking forward for the opportunity to once again defeat his mom in bowling.”
