Actions

The one thing that kept their world from completely turning upside down

Posted at 6:23 PM, Sep 25, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-25 19:50:34-04

HENRICO, Va. -- For Kelly Quarles-Jackson and her two girls, Kyndall and Kaela, a lot of days have been tough since her husband Sean passed away in 2012.  Kelly leans a lot on her mom Esther for support because Sean’s death turned their world upside down.

Kelly says there was one thing Sean did just months before he passed has allowed them to maintain a stable lifestyle. He purchased a life insurance policy.

“It allowed me to stay in my house, allowed our kids to do extra-curricular activities. My oldest daughter will go to college in the fall," Jackson said. Her mom Esther says she knows how important it is for families to have that security.

“Whoever is left behind has the burden on them. You don't want them to have that burden. For example, when my husband and my son died, if I had not had life insurance, it would have put my family in a terrible bind, " Quarles explained.

Financial expert Michelle Oliver runs the Oliver Financial Group in Henrico. Shespends her days trying to raise awareness about the importance of life insurance. She says tragic headlines in our community constantly highlight the need.

reece family fund

For example, a recent crash on Route 5 claimed the life of a father of six. CBS 6 News recently told you about a Go Fund Me account that’s now growing for the Reece family,  that was without life insurance.

Oliver says for many people, death is just one of those things that people don’t want to talk about. She says doing it now, spending just dollars per day, could spare families from a heavy financial burden.

“You don’t want to sell everything. You want your family to continue to have the same lifestyle. The younger you are, the better because premiums are lower. I encourage everyone to get life insurance,” Oliver added.

They hope their message will resonate with people, especially during September- Life Insurance Awareness month. Getting that coverage, Oliver believes will help families find a little peace of mind during the difficult days.

“It makes me feel good when I have clients that I can give a five hundred thousand dollar check. It makes me feel good when I see clients’ children graduate from college. I feel great when I see a family that’s able to stay in their home,” Oliver said.

Jackson says her life changed in an instant and it could happen to you. She says she will always encourage people to get life insurance.

During this month, Life happens.org is pushing an awareness campaign. Children who have been impacted from the loss of a parent who had no insurance may qualify for scholarships through the Life Lessons Scholarship program. To find out more, go to www.lifehappens.org.

CBS6-News-at-4pm-and-Jennifer-Hudson-480x360.jpg

Entertainment

Watch 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' weekdays at 3 p.m. on CBS 6!

📱 Download CBS 6 News App
The app features breaking news alerts, live video, weather radar, traffic incidents, closings and delays and more.