Planning his ‘final goodbye.’ SC student who was killed artistic, lovable, counselor says

Terri Richardson
·2 min read
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Isaiah Gaymes was a lovable teenager who loved art and his baby sister, said a Horry County Schools counselor who knew him at Riverside Elementary.

Isaiah Gaymes died from blunt force trauma at 1:29 a.m. May 11 at Medical University of South Carolina, according to a release Friday from Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard with the Horry County Coroner’s Office.

He was 13.

Isaiah Gaymes, 13, died May 11, 2024, after an assault at his home in the Longs area, according to Horry County Police. Two people have been charged, including one with murder, in his death.
Isaiah Gaymes, 13, died May 11, 2024, after an assault at his home in the Longs area, according to Horry County Police. Two people have been charged, including one with murder, in his death.

Two people have been charged, one with murder, in relation to the assault that happened on May 8 in the Longs area, according to a Horry County Police report.

Felecia Daniels Bellamy, the counselor, posted on Facebook about Gaymes’ death, saying, “Isaiah was a cherished member of our community.”

Gaymes last attended North Myrtle Beach Middle School in April 2023 as a sixth-grader, according to Horry County Schools spokesperson Lisa Bourcier.

“With profound sadness, we have learned of the devastating death of one of our former students,” Bourcier said in a press release Friday. “I know we are all heartbroken by his death, and we send our sincere condolences to everyone who loved Isaiah. We are grateful for the outpouring of community support, which will provide comfort to those affected by this loss.”

During his time at Riverside, Bellamy said she never saw any marks or bruises on the boy or was aware of any abuse occurring.

Bellamy said she and other teachers developed a relationship with Gaymes because of his personality, describing him as lovable.

“He loved art,” Bellamy said. “He was very artistic.”

Bellamy said Gaymes also loved his baby sister and enjoyed taking care of her.

“It’s a struggle,” Bellamy said of the 13-year-old’s death. “We are definitely struggling. We are so thankful that we get to plan his final goodbye.”

What happened

Ivy Contrell Jenerette, 40, was charged with murder on Friday, according to an arrest warrant. He was originally charged with abuse to inflict great bodily injury upon a child. Samantha Ann Gaymes, 34, was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child. Both remain in the J. Reuben Long Detention Center without bond.

Jenerette, who lives in the home with the teen, is accused of striking him several times to the side and back of the head with a blunt object, according to an arrest warrant. The teenager suffered other life-threatening injuries, including broken bones, burns and permanent disfigurement to the face and body, the warrant said.

A piece of wood and a handgun were found, and both tested positive for blood and are consistent with the injury patterns on the victim, the warrant said.

Samantha Gaymes is accused of allowing a pattern of physical abuse on the victim to the point that he received great bodily injury during the recent assault, according to the report.