Community rallies Around family of teacher killed in a crash in Monroe on May 23

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the family of Chelsea Lumpkin, a Monroe woman and first-year Gwinnett County teacher whose life was cut short in a tragic crash Memorial Day weekend.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, Lumpkin, 32, died following a single-vehicle crash on Saturday, May 23, on State Route 10 near Cedar Ridge Road in Monroe Troopers were called to the scene at approximately 10:40 a.m. Their investigation found that a black Toyota 4Runner traveling west on State Route 10 left the roadway onto the north shoulder, struck a tree, and came to rest on the shoulder.

Authorities reported that Lumpkin was not wearing a seatbelt and was partially ejected from the vehicle. She succumbed to her injuries at the scene.

In the wake of the tragedy, family and friends have organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to help the Lumpkin family with expenses and to support them during this difficult time.

Organizers described Lumpkin as a dedicated educator who graduated in May 2025 and had just completed her first year of teaching at Alford Elementary School in Gwinnett County. They noted that she touched countless lives through her work in education and her involvement in leadership and service organizations.

A graduate of Kennesaw State University’s Bagwell College of Education, Lumpkin earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with Cum Laude honors. During her time at KSU, she served in numerous leadership roles, including Student Government Association senator, Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Fraternity and Sorority Life ambassador, orientation leader, and Membership Chair for the National Society of Leadership and Success.

Lumpkin was also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she served as both vice president and chaplain for the Pi Phi chapter.

“Her kindness, humor, and uplifting energy will truly be missed,” organizers wrote on the fundraising page.

Friends, family members, former classmates, and members of the community continue to share memories and messages of support as they mourn her loss. Organizers have asked the public to keep the Lumpkin family and all who knew and loved Chelsea in their prayers.

A Celebration of Life Tribute Service will be held Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Ebenezer Baptist Church, West, 205 N. Chase St., Athens, GA with interment in East Lawn Memorial Cemetery.

A public viewing will be held on Friday, June 5 from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM, at the Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home in Athens, and Saturday, 10:00 AM until the hour of service, at the church.