Beech Island, S.C. – The mood was somber and there were tears. There was also prayer and songs as well a love offering to help a family get through a recent tragedy.
That was the scenario for the Prayer Vigil held in honor of 4-year-old Kyrie Henry. Adraine Jones did one of her nephew’s favorite things at the vigil in his honor; sang songs.
“He loved to sing. He loved to wrestle and he loved playing football,” she described.
Surrounded by community love and support, the family of Henry stood in silence as candles burned in remembrance of a young life now gone.
Greendale kindergarten teacher Nicole Cummings reflected on how Kyrie, who attended pre-K classes across from her room, could have been her student next year.
“When I heard the news I was shocked. The kids spend so much time with us during the school year. I know they have their parents, but they spend so much time with us they kind of become our own as well,” Cummings said.
Henry’s school bus driver, 61-year-old Barbara Moore, was taking him to class on Beech Island Avenue when the bus crossed over the center line and struck an oncoming semi-truck driven by James Gillette, of Beech Island. The driver and another student were injured. Kyrie died of severe head trauma, according to Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton.
Beech Island native Courtney Paschal learned about the crash on social media.
“It just hit me hard for this family. I can’t imagine my child not coming home,” she said.
She said she was in tears and was compelled to help the family.
“God is the only way that I think you can get through something like this. I think it’s important that this family knows that as a community we stand behind them and as a community we grieve with them,” Paschal explained.
Beech Island Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Leon Henderson said he arrived to the tragic scene first. He described how the bus driver ran to him hysterical saying two students were still on the bus.
“My biggest thing is these school buses need seat belts. These two children were not in seat belts when I got to them. I know it’s been reported that they were, but they weren’t,” he said.
After the crash, South Carolina State Representative Bill Taylor posted on his Facebook page that the deceased child was in a seat belt at the time of impact.
Other messages of comfort were shared at the vigil.
“Jesus Christ said we should strive for the faith of a child. So we know that Kyrie stands in the presence of the almighty God,” a community member said.
Jones added that her nephew liked the Power Rangers, specifically the green one and his favorite food was pizza.
Funeral arrangements are pending for Sunday, May 31 at New Beginning Ministries in Beech Island.