On Friday, Dec. 10, tornadoes hit the ground in many southern U.S. states, destroying everything in their path and showing no forgiveness. There were still reports of tornadoes early into the morning of Saturday, Dec. 11, and once they had subsided, the people who had survived them could see how much damage they truly had done.

Since tornadoes are not seen as very likely to happen in December, many people dismissed all the warnings about them coming until it was too late. In Kentucky, the state affected the worst by these tornadoes, the death toll is currently at 75 with a vast age range of two months – 98 years old. Too many innocent lives were lost that day, and it is important to remember and honor everyone who did not make it through the storm. To keep their memory alive, some families have decided to share memories of their loved ones who were taken too soon.

Diane Varney

Varney, 62, had taken shelter in her home in Moorman, Kentucky, when the tornado hit. She was with her daughter, her daughter’s husband, and her three loving grandchildren that she adored so much. Her son, Ricky Beckman was not present with her when the tornado had come, but he wants everyone to remember her for how loving and caring she was. 

“She was loved by anybody that knew her. She didn’t know no strangers. She would help anyone who needed it. She would take her shirt off her back for anybody,” said Beckman. 

Robert Daniel

On the night of the tornado, Daniel, 47, was at the candle factory in Kentucky that the tornado ripped through, supervising inmates from the local jail that were on a work-release program. He unfortunately lost his life while he was busy making sure everyone around him was safe from the tornado before worrying about himself. 

“(He) gave his precious life while physically ensuring that his seven inmates were moved into a safe location, from which they all survived. He was just unable to get himself there in time,” said inmate George Workman. 

Daniel’s son, Zachary Daniel, had also seen his father the same morning that the tornado occurred. They exchanged gifts for the holidays, and Zachary is so thankful he had one last moment with his father, and he is making sure everyone will remember him as a great person and a loving grandfather. 

Clayton Cope

Although Cope, 29, was working at the Amazon Warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois when the tornado hit, he was a Navy Veteran who had served for six years. Cope also worked with his father at the Amazon Warehouse, and if he had not been there, his father would have. His mother, Carla Cope, also had gotten the chance to talk to him on the phone shortly before the tornadoes hit, something she will never forget. 

“He was a really good kid,” said Cope. “He was big-hearted; he would do anything for anybody.”

Cope would have turned 30 on Dec. 27.