Christian Peterson
reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com
On Wednesday, Aug. 20, Suwannee County suffered a tragic loss with the passing of 19-year-old Live Oak native Alex Mabey as a result of a car accident. According to a report filed by the Florida Highway Patrol, at approximately 5 a.m., Alex was driving north on County Road 136 in a sedan. As he approached a 90-degree curve in the road, he failed to make the turn, leaving the paved portion of the roadway and entering a wooded area, where the front of his vehicle collided with a tree. Alex was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Alex was well-known throughout Suwannee County, having been an active member of the community and a lifelong resident of Live Oak. He graduated from Suwannee High School (SHS) in 2024 and was an avid soccer player, a member of the weightlifting team, and played the trumpet for both Suwannee Middle School and SHS bands. He worked at Advent Christian Village as a cashier, lifeguard and utility worker.
Alex was a young man with a servant's heart, consistently spreading the Gospel to those around him.
"Alex loved Jesus," the family wrote in his obituary. "He showed that by loving his family, friends and pretty much everyone he came in contact with. He left a legacy of hard work and love for us to follow. He would want everyone to know Jesus as their Savior, like he did."
Doug Mabey, Alex's father, was the first person to arrive at the scene of the accident. He recounted his search and worry as he tried to locate the scene alongside first responders. Eventually, he found it and was attempting to get into the car when first responders arrived.
"God was protecting me, I am thankful for that," Doug said, stating God had protected him from seeing his son in that state. "I'd like to thank all the first responders, Suwannee County Sheriff's Office, Florida Highway Patrol, and Suwannee County Fire Rescue. Specifically, Stephanie Fillyaw with SCSO. She was so sweet and stayed there as long as we needed."
Despite the tremendous loss, the Mabey family is facing their grief through their faith in God. Doug shared how he felt God's presence and strength during this difficult time.
"God is showing himself mighty, real, over and over," Doug said.
He described a recent Bulldogs football game he attended to sell snow cones for the soccer team -- a team Alex loved dearly. During this event, Doug was able to share the Gospel with others who had known Alex and even prayed with them, pointing them toward Jesus.
In honor of Alex's memory, a fund has been set up at First Federal Bank.
"Our colleagues at the Advent Christian Village set up a fund at First Federal Bank to help Lynn and I and the family with expenses," Doug wrote on Facebook. "We are so grateful for that. We are going to take that money and create a scholarship fund in Alex's name through Suwannee High School."
The scholarship will be called the Alex Mabey Memorial Scholarship, available to any student who: has a 3.0 grade point average or higher, is interested in participating in soccer or weightlifting as a student-athlete, or is interested in pursuing a full-time ministry role.
"We are in the early beginning stages, but anything donated to First Federal will be seed money for that," Doug wrote. "Alex started a Roth IRA in his name, so we will use that to start with, and we have a great start. We want this thing to blow up so we can help as many kids as possible in the future."
For more information about the scholarship fund, call First Federal Bank at (386) 362-3433 or visit them to donate directly. Currently, the only online option to donate is through Zelle in Alex's name.
"The Lord has blessed us so much, so please donate to that fund in Alex's name," Doug said. "If the Lord leads you that way, and if not, we still thank you for your prayers and loving support as we go through this."
Additionally, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, the Bulldogs soccer team plans to honor Alex's memory during their game against Columbia County, as soccer was an important part of his life.
"I want people to look at Alex and see Jesus," Doug said.
Keep an eye out in the future for coverage of Alex's memorial at the game, an article detailing his memory, and honoring the life that he lived.