Hundreds gathered, hand in hand, to remember the life of a nine-year-old girl killed in Friday’s deadly tornadoes.
At least 90 people were killed by tornadoes across Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee Friday night and early Saturday morning.
In Kentucky alone, the state’s governor says more than 70 people could have died after “one of the toughest nights in Kentucky history.”
The devastating tornadoes left an occupied candle factory in Kentucky collapsed, along with an Amazon warehouse in western Illinois and a nursing home in Arkansas.
In Missouri, Annistyn Rackley was at home with her mom Meghan, her dad Trey, and her two younger sisters when the tornado hit their home just east of Braggadocio, as per KFVS News.
The catastrophic winds destroyed everything around them and 9-year-old Annistyn lost her life. Her family were taken to the hospital where mom Meghan is fighting for her life, while one of the sisters is already thought to have been released from the hospital, and the other was due to have back surgery on Sunday.
Her dad escaped with cuts and bruises and has also reportedly left the hospital.
More than 200 people gathered at Reynolds Park along the Mississippi River to remember the little girl.
“The loss, it is exponential,” Mandi Alexander, a long-time friend of Meghan’s, said. “There are no words.”
Mandi described Annistyn as a bubbly child who was strong at heart.
Mom Meghan, who is a kindergarten teacher, is said to be suffering with “catastrophic” injuries – brain damage, broken bones, and a collapsed lung during a recent surgery.
“Our family believes in a God of miracles and that is why we are here today,” Meghan’s aunt Sandra Hookers said. “To ask God for a miracle and give us a miracle for Meghan.
‘I loved her and she loved me’
“If you could have seen what my family looked like with the mud everywhere, in their hair, the bruises, the scraps,” Sandra added.
According to news station KAIT8 Annistyn was featured on the station when she was just a baby in 2012; she was suffering with a rare liver disease known as Biliary Atresia and the community helped raise money for her medical expenses.
Now the community has come together again to help raise funds for her family who are experiencing the unimaginable.
“I am so glad I had time with her,” Sandra said of Annistyn. “I am glad she was in my life. I loved her and she loved me, in a very big way.”
More than $100,000 has been raised to help the family with medical expenses through a GoFundMe.
My heart goes out to Annistyn’s loved ones; so many people are suffering after this natural disaster and I hope those that need help get it and quickly.
Rest in peace Annistyn. Please share.
