Kelly

Kelly

She’ll always be remembered with a beautiful smile and a heart for her children and husband. There are two stars shining so brightly. I remember how horrified I felt when in July of 2012 I learned that a Tullahoma girl had been found murdered, burned to death and left on the side of the road.  When I learned who it was, I felt such incredible sadness because I had known her family most of my life, and they had never had an easy journey. There isn’t much to say today except how pained I feel and want others to feel at the loss of a beautiful lady and her beautiful daughter.  One man’s choice to satisfy his physical needs…today, two beautiful people are gone, many more lives forever changed because of his actions. I will never look at a star the same way, I will never look at boots the same way, and I will always think of her passion for seeing her daughter’s murderer brought to justice when I hear “Game on, cowboy.”  I don’t know what it is that comes over people that they can inflict so much pain on any other person, sometimes repeatedly.  But I am not the Judge.  Meanness is in a class all of its own–crimes of passion are almost understandable, but crimes of pure ugliness are hard to stomach, impossible to accept. I don’t think any of us could have reached out enough, loved her enough, stood by or encouraged her enough.  She saw herself spiraling and tried desperately to stop it, but the pain that wouldn’t go away was more powerful than any healing anyone could offer–and there are so many who knew and loved her more than I.  She knew she needed to offer her living children more of herself and didn’t feel that she could.  She was tortured by her inability to ‘snap out of” something that I don’t think anyone can snap out of. There is nothing selfish about her finding a way out of the pain she was in.  She did what she had to do to finally have peace.  I ache for those in her family and close friends who are left behind, but they more than anyone, know how much pain she was in for the past 18 months.

So today, I ask you to love your friends, shore up those who are hurting, and when they’ve pulled so far away, don’t be afraid to bring them back.  But when the day comes to an end, know that sometimes there is nothing we can do to change where a person is.  For those of us who are believers, we can trust that she was never alone–God never left her side.  For me, I trust that she is with her child and her creator.  Those who caused her such physical and emotional pain in her life can’t hurt her ever again.  For that, I am so thankful.

Her name was Kelly.  She was a wonderful mother.  She was a valuable person.  She chose her ending to the story that has been her life.  I know that her family will never forget the beauty and joy and humor she tried to bring to their lives.  She was amazing and became my hero.  I will miss her posts, her honesty, her presence. She’ll always be remembered with a beautiful smile and a heart for her children and husband. There are two stars shining so brightly.

30 Responses to “Kelly”

  1. Sharon Goff says:

    What a beautiful tribute, Susan.

  2. Connie says:

    Thank you Susan. This is beautiful

  3. c_maylene@yahoo.com says:

    Beautiful written about such a beautiful person

  4. Jill S. says:

    If everyone had even a small amount of the compassion you exhibit, Susan, this world would be a much gentler place. I am sorry to hear of the family’s loss and wish them all peace and healing.

  5. Rebecca says:

    Oh Susan. Thank you for this!!! What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful person.

  6. patricia varga says:

    A beautiful tribute. I am so,so sorry for your loss as well as the family.

  7. Danielle Triplett says:

    I will keep the family in my thoughts and prayers, So sad this has happened once again to the family. 🙁

  8. Sylvia Giles says:

    A Beautiful Tribute to this wonderful woman!

  9. Jennifer Flath says:

    Amazing tribute to a beautiful lady who will be missed by so many! God bless you Kelly! Rest in Peace! We love you!

  10. Sandy Lindeman says:

    My heart is so sadden. What a great thing to do. Violence is a terrible thing and needs to be stopped. Prayers to the family and friends

  11. Valerie Robertson-Knowles says:

    A beautiful tribute!

  12. Stacie says:

    I will miss her terribly. Peace my sweet friend. I love you. All the time.

  13. Kim Burnett says:

    Such a beautiful tribute about Kelly! It’s so sad in our society now that their are so many people out there causing pain to others! It’s absolutely shameful how a loving Mother grieved herself to death to be able to have peace and rid her daily pain!! I do hope Kelly and Megan are together again!!

  14. andrea says:

    what happened to Kelly

  15. John Hamner says:

    Thank you so much. I am so heart broken I can hardly breathe. I do know, and take comfort, that each new morning will find her in paradise.

    • andrea says:

      such sadness I hope this family can find peace. I cant imagine how it would feel to lose someone to murder but I know what its like to lose a parent to suicide. bless you carrie

  16. Robbie Watson says:

    An awesome tribute to Ms. Kelly. Prayers lifted up for the family and friends. Two stars shining tonight.

  17. This a sad,sad,story.so sorry this happy to a sweet person.person’s

  18. sue pamplin says:

    Carrie, the pain never stopped for your mom. I pray you and your family will have peace and strength thru the following days.

  19. And now I fear and pray for Kelly’s mama, who suffered every step of the way with Kelly in her great loss and deep sorrow, and for Maurice who must again be the rock for his family. I send up prayers for comfort for the family and prayers for Kelly. May light perpetual shine upon her and may God grant her peace.

  20. God please help this family in their grief, and let them know that Kelly and Megan are safe in your arms. Please bless them with peace and strength, until the day that they are all reunited again in Heaven.

  21. megan sublett says:

    I AM SPEECHLESS.

  22. Vickie Smith says:

    Tears in my Eyes……May Jesus Hold ,,Sweet Kelly In His Arms

  23. LIBBIE WHITSON says:

    I PRAY FOR THE ONES LEFT ,MAY GOD GIVE THEM COMFORT, AND LOVE ONE OTHER, STAY CLOSE, AND KNOW YOUR’LL SEE KELLY AND MEGAN AGAIN……

  24. When did she pass?? i miss her and tried to reach out to her

  25. Karen says:

    What a wonderful tribute to Kelly and Megan. May God be with the rest of the family. One day the gates of hell will open and the ones who caused this family all this grief will land up in a burning flame they will never escape. God put your loving arms around each family member and comfort them.

  26. Andrea says:

    This is a beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman. Kelly was amazing. She suffered so much in life, but was one of the kindest, most giving souls and she was the strongest woman I’ve ever known. Thank you for writing it. I cried the entire time reading it, but it was exactly what I needed to hear. I pray Kelly has found her peace and is shining happily with Mega. And I pray for her family and all those she has left behind.

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Thoughts to Encourage

Joy is the will which labors, which overcomes obstacles, which knows triumph.~ William Butler Yeats

Whether you think you can or think you can’t you’re right. - Henry Ford

The best way out is always through. ~ Robert Frost

Real difficulties can be overcome, it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. ~ Theodore N. Vail

Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall. ~ Oliver Goldsmith

You must be the change you want to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi

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