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The son of Tennessee-based content creator Jimmy McMahan, known as “White Folks,” has broken his silence following the death of his father in a motorcycle accident on January 19th.
According to local stations ABC24 Memphis, FOX13 Memphis and Action News 5, McMahan was riding his motorcycle near the intersection of Saratoga Road and Millington Road in Millington, a small metropolitan area of Memphis, when he lost control and crashed into two parked vehicles. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Today we remember our father, Jimmy McMahan, a man who filled every room with laughter and love,” his son Jimmy McMahan Jr. wrote in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE.
McMahan was a well-known internet personality in the Memphis area and maintained more than 120,000 followers on Instagram, where he was known for his comedy videos.
“He was the kind of person who didn’t hesitate to express his opinion, but always guided with compassion and kindness,” continues the author’s son. “His jokes, quick resilience, and playfulness had a way of lifting people’s spirits, even on the most difficult of days. Making others laugh wasn’t just something he did. It was who he was. He was a man whose presence was never noticed. He always wanted to be seen, heard, and felt.”
McMahan’s son remembers his father’s love of parenting and the role he played in his children’s lives.
“My father had a kind heart and a caring heart. Behind every joke was a man who loved deeply. As a father, his children were his greatest joy,” he continued. “His love for his children was fierce and unconditional. He showed up, protected, guided, and made sure they always knew how deeply loved they were. Whether through advice, humor, or just being there, he gave them a sense of strength and comfort that never faded.”
“His voice, his laugh, and his love are forever etched in our hearts. He may be gone from our presence, but his legacy lives on through his children, the memories he made, and the countless smiles he left behind.”
McMahan’s family set up a GoFundMe the day he died to raise money for funeral and memorial expenses, and it had already raised more than $1,000 in three days.
“Whiteforks was more than a brother. He was a son, a friend, and a light to all who knew him,” the internet personality’s brother, Joseph Johnson, wrote in a description of the fundraiser. “His laughter, loyalty and love will never be forgotten. He lived with passion and left an indelible impression on our lives.”
In a Facebook post, McMahan’s daughter-in-law Tonya paid tribute to the late author for “all the wonderful memories” they shared together.
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“It was an honor to know my brother-in-law!” she wrote in an emotional eulogy. “I was never bored. After spending a day with him, my stomach and ribs would be sore for days. Whoever you are, his heart was so big.”
McMahan appears to have last updated his social media accounts on January 18, the day before the fatal accident, when he shared a video on Instagram that appeared to show him in the hospital.
