Jermaine West: Loved and Remembered

By: Vareva Harris, Co-editor | Vareva@thewoodrufftimes.com

Nine years have passed since Jermaine West disappeared from the streets of Woodruff, yet the central question still hangs in the air—heavy with grief, hope, and unanswered prayers:

Where is the body of Jermaine West?
On Saturday, November 22 at 4 p.m., family and friends gathered in the parking lot of American Legion Post 270—known throughout the community as The Hut—to honor Jermaine’s birthday, share memories, and call for healing. The crowd gathered at 644 W. Georgia Street reflected a community united by love and longing, as well as a desire for peace and closure. Though a man sits behind bars for Jermaine’s murder, his body has never been found.

Jermaine was last seen in 2016 outside his aunt’s home in Woodruff. He was shot four times and forcibly taken. His aunt, Barbara Glenn, spoke through tears as she remembered the last moments she saw him.
“I gave my best effort to hold on to Jermaine,” she said. “I wish I could have done more. I love Jermaine, and I miss him very much.”

A cell phone video captured by family member Darricka Jones showed Jermaine being dragged into the back of a Jeep belonging to Marcus Todd. The vehicle was later found abandoned and stained with blood. In 2017, Todd was arrested, convicted of murder and kidnapping, and sentenced to life in prison. The jury deliberated less than four hours.

But the conviction has not brought closure to West’s family.

Jermaine’s mother, Eva Deloris Thompson, spoke with the quiet resilience she has carried for almost a decade.

“The Lord keeps me strong,” she said. “Y’all just don’t know—we need y’all at times.”

Her pain remains as deep as the day Jermaine disappeared.

“I want to bring my son home,” she shared. “I talk about him with his kids. When I spend time with my grandchildren, I show them pictures of their dad and tell them stories about things Jermaine did for them when he was here. They deserve memories of their dad.”

Jermaine leaves behind seven children, his brothers Rod Foster and Shandell Foster, his sister Taurus Foster, and a large extended family who continue searching for answers.

“We are so grateful and blessed by the unwavering love from our family, friends, and the Woodruff community,” Foster said. “You keep showing up to help look for Jermaine, pray for our family, and celebrate his memory.”

Rev. Derrick Scurry, Chaplain for the City of Woodruff, and Rev. Ace Pearson, Pastor of Kingdom Hands Ministries, led the gathering in prayer. Jermaine’s sister, Taurus Foster, described the balloon release as “a moment for us to grieve together and to share our hope that one day someone will come forward and tell us where Jermaine’s body is located.”

“We are always going to keep Jermaine’s memory alive,” she said.

Lingering Questions
While Todd is serving a life sentence without parole, the family believes he did not act alone.

“We are aware that there was a second guy,” Foster said. “Whoever he is—we need him to come forward.”
Some community members have privately shared things they may have heard or seen, including individuals who once worked with Todd.

“We just want closure,” Foster said. “We forgive Marcus. It’s hard, but we forgive him. We just need closure.”

Thompson echoed the plea: “If anyone knows anything, please come forward. There is a reward for information leading to the location of Jermaine.”

The gathering was not only about remembrance—it was also a call to action.

“Far and near, people loved Jermaine,” Foster said. “We have to love on one another. We have to stop the violence. Senseless killing in the community hurts everyone.”

Anyone with information about the location of Jermaine West’s body is urged to contact:
Woodruff Police Department
864-476-8131
Family Contact (Sister)
864-248-3268

The family welcomes community members to share tips, memories, or words of comfort as they continue their search for answers and peace.