17CF043839AD – State of Florida vs Lee Rodarte Jr

Savannah Gold’s Mother Sharon Gold

March 4, 2021

Re: State v. Lee Rodarte Jr.

S.A. Case No.: 17CF04389AD

Dear Honorable Branham:

Savannah Page Gold was our only girl and second child. She was taken from
us when she was twenty-one. How could we ever imagine the impact twenty-one
would have on us? Twenty-one her jersey number in sports; twenty-one tattooed on
her hand in roman numerals; twenty-one the year her killer goes to prison. She had
a full life ahead of her, full of opportunity. She did not get to experience the most
beautiful parts – finding her path; the joys of parenthood, of finding her purpose, her
passion.

When she was born and the doctor put her on my chest to say hello. She was
so perfect, her big fat cheeks and little attitude; I loved her immediately. I finally got
to meet the person doing aerobics in my belly. Moments as a toddler were fun; she
was fearless with boundless energy. By the time she was 3, she would jump in the
deep end of our pool and swim all day long. I had imagined she would someday
join the circus as an acrobat because she had so much joy doing flips off the diving
board, trampoline and in gymnastics.

Savannah loved to draw pictures. As a young child, she would go through

reams of paper with her drawings. Everywhere you looked were Savannah’s
drawings. In middle and high school, she auditioned for and got accepted into the
art magnet schools. That’s where she discovered her love of fiber. She learned to sew
at school and her dad helped teach her. When she got better, she would make shirts
or purses to wear at the next school day. She made costumes and studied stage
design at school. I remember her coming home after learning to use different tools,
mostly saws and drills; she was so excited about the potential. She loved the process
of working with her hands to create something unique. She often talked of someday
designing shoes.

Savannah was accepted to Savannah College of Art & Design; where she was
offered scholarships for lacrosse & art. Savannah had played lacrosse since middle

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school. As with everything she tried, she worked hard and was a grinder. To her, it
was to either be the best or not at all. She played throughout high school and toured
with traveling teams. To watch her on the field was exciting. She was a team player
and wanted to see everyone shine. She ultimately decided not to go to SCAD. I had
just had my kidney removed and was facing six months of chemotherapy. It was my
2nd major surgery and chemotherapy for stage IV cancer and I think it was
important to her to be close to home. She would take me to chemo and get lunch for
us; she picked up the slack at home and was my best caretaker. As much as I wanted
her to be at college where she didn’t have to see so much ugly, I was grateful she was
near.

Cancer, I consider it to be one of the best things that ever happened to me

because it brought us close together. When life is fragile, the little things no longer
matter and you just get busy doing the living. During a time where most mothers
and daughters have strife, we were close. She understood that my time could be
short. She understood more than most people can in a lifetime. She was empathetic.
She had a big heart. She gave to everyone around her. She loved an underdog. I
know it is what ultimately took her life.

Savannah’s best friend had her first baby a few days ago. While one part of
me was happy beyond belief for her, there was a great sadness too. Savannah will
never have a baby; to know the greatest love I have ever felt. We will never hold her
babies in our arms; never experience her ‘mini me’ or to spoil our grandbabies.
Savannah and her brother were the absolute shining light in our lives; her life does
not get to go on.

Savannah was compassionate towards people and animals almost to a fault.

Once she was sitting at a red light when she saw a small kitten run under her car.
Savannah got under the car to get the kitten and called me. Of course, all I wanted
was for her to get back in her car! The cat’s name is Peaky and she’s been with us for
six years. Three years and seven months longer than Savannah.

I was also so proud of the woman she was. One of my favorite memories of
her was when she was car shopping. The year she died, she had worked two jobs
and saved enough money to buy a better car. One day she asked me to go with her
to go look at a car for sale by a private owner. I thought the car was so cute, I
would’ve handed them my money. Savannah lifts the hood and looks at the engine.
The man selling it is my age and I remember his mouth dropping open when

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Savannah got under the car to check it. He probably assumed that since Savannah
was small, feminine and petite, she could not possibly know about cars. Where was
this car previously housed, she asks? Ohio he tells her. She gets up, tells the man,
thank you and we go to leave. We get in the car and she says, mom, the bottom was
full of rust. Savannah’s dad made sure she knew how to change tires, change the oil,
replace the brakes and our girl could do all those things. I loved that she knew what
to look for and was confident enough to say so.

Another memory was on the day she died. She was leaving for work when I
told her I was fixing up her old car so she could sell to get some cash. “You keep it
mom, I’m good.” She had $31 when she died. She worked two jobs but it was more
important to her to give, than to have for herself. I loved it about her but it also
worried me for her. You want your children to care for themselves first but it wasn’t
her.
How do I put into words what my child meant to me? She loved fiercely; she
gave freely; she was funny, kind and a fantastic dancer. She had color and art in her
soul. My best friend, my sweet baby, my heart.

My love for her is endless and boundless. The only way I can continue on is to
know the last thing she would want is for this to break us. Her dad said he doesn’t
want this to blacken our hearts. That we have to continue Savannah’s love and give
back as she would’ve wanted.

A few days after she died, a large, bright blue butterfly was on our back patio.
I had been crying endlessly and watching the butterfly seemed put my spirit at
peace. The butterfly stayed for a long time – I now know it had been a newborn and
was allowing its wings to unfurl and dry. After that day, I planted butterfly gardens
all around our house and now sit outside with them every day. They remind me of
the joy and beauty still in this world and how important it is to continue feeling the
beauty in spite of the ugly we’ve seen. We will continue to love and appreciate the
beautiful butterflies in the short time they’re here.

Sincerely,

Sharon Gold
Mother of Savannah

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