GILMER, Texas — The funeral services for Dermetrica "Shakerrie" Waters, 37, and Mandy Ray, 35, are set for this upcoming weekend. But before they are laid to rest, Gilmer residents are fundraising to help aid the Waters family.
Waters and Ray are described as cheerleaders for every child on the football field by multiple community members. Gilmer resident Lisa Venters purchased a few t-shirts from the "Army of Buckeyes Fundraiser" and said she's glad to be a part of aiding the family.
"It just affected everybody because they were such good people," Venters said. "They just did everything with the community, the cheerleading, and the little league football."
The shirts are camo print with the number 13 and the phrase "Army of Buckeyes" stamped on them. It also has a biblical quote that the shirt designers said represents Waters and Ray. On Thursday night's football game in Tyler, multiple Gilmer residents, the cheerleaders, and coaches could be seen wearing the shirts. Venters said she's glad to see her community stepping up with this unique fundraiser.
"When I saw this I just told them God bless you," Venters said. "It's beautiful that they can do this."
The next day after the loss of these two mothers, Gilmer resident Denny Pilcher helped organize this fundraiser with other community members who were looking for a way to help one of their own. He said they wanted to find an immediate way to aid the Waters family and tie this to their football team.
"I've always believed that athletics is one thing that can bridge the gap between people and unite people," Pilcher said.
Pilcher said Ray was the voice of the football bleachers and that these shirts would represent her and her sister.
"Everyone knows if you've ever been to a Gilmer Buckeyes football game Mandy was a fierce supporter of her kids," Pilcher said. "Not just her kids but her son's friends. She was a fierce supporter."
The fundraiser has surpassed its $10,000 goal, and as of Thursday is nearing $12,000. Gilmer resident Benjamin Dodd said the city is such a tight community, and that Ray would be doing the same thing if she was in their shoes.
"She would have been the first one buying the shirt in any other circumstances, and wearing the shirt and supporting people," Dodd said. "I can't do the yell that she does. If I could, I'd be out there yelling all night like the way that she would."
If you wish to support the family by purchasing a shirt, they are still taking orders. Click this link to buy shirts and help continue raising funds for the Waters family.