VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - A Lowndes County man has been sentenced for the 2022 murder of Denisha Williams.

In September 2022, Denisha Williams was shot to death at Peaches Nightclub by her longtime boyfriend and the father of one of her children, Jacquez Jelks.

On Thursday, April 17, Jelks was sentenced to life in prison for malice murder.

Williams was the mother of four children. She was in school to become a licensed cosmetologist while doing hair and nails on the side. She had also started dancing at night after her shifts as a caretaker during the day.

Lakisha Byron, Denisha’s mother said, “It’s gotta be God because it’s so peaceful and bright. I just feel my baby like ‘yeah ma, yeah ma.’”

Williams’ family said during sentencing, the judge read a letter from Williams’ middle daughter.

“She stated in that letter that she would have given her life, in order for her mother to live, and that she was the best mom. That was hard,” Byron said.

Her family said nothing will bring Denisha back, but they will continue to fight against domestic violence as they grieve Denisha.

Denisha’s sister, Tenisha Williams said, “Life…it’s like it just kept going on around us, and we we’re at a standstill. Life kept going on around us, but now I feel like we will be able to start our grieving journey.”

Byron added, “It shouldn’t be just when it hits home. That’s why — Even though I would have never thought I would be a mom standing up doing that, but I’ve always had a nonprofit that spoke against domestic violence. And this is going to make me push it harder.”

In response to this case, District Attorney Brad Shealy said this in a statement, “I am proud to see this man sentenced to life in prison for his violent crime. Unfortunately, this does not bring Denisha back to her family or her children. However, I am extremely pleased the family did not have to suffer through a trial, and they can now begin to heal. It is a priority in this office to send violent criminals to prison to protect the citizens of this circuit, and to hold those who commit acts of domestic violence fully accountable.”

WALB attempted to reach Jelks attorney Latesha Bradley to get a response to the sentence, but we have not heard back.

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