Annual softball tournament raises awareness and money in remembrance

JACKSON, Tenn. — An annual event is helping to keep a West Tennessee teen’s legacy alive, all while raising awareness.

The Sarah Beth Whitehead Memorial Softball Classic is being held for West Tennessee high school teams to play at the West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex in Northeast Jackson this week.

The event is in memory of 14-year-old Sarah Beth Whitehead, an outgoing local athlete who died suddenly in March of 2005, following complications after contracting bacterial meningitis and then became an organ donor .

Her father, John Whitehead talks about how the money raised from the tournament will be used.

“We give money to the National Meningitis Association. We give money to the Tennessee Donors Association and also give a scholarship to a senior at Trinity Christian Academy, that’s where she would have graduated from,” said John Whitehead, Father of Sarah Beth Whitehead.

The softball tournament began today and will continue through Saturday the 16th at the West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex.

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