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In a tragedy that has rocked the gospel-music world, three-quarters of the quartet the Nelons have perished in a aircraft crash that claimed a complete of seven.
Autumn Nelon, the group’s sole survivor, posted a picture of her late band — and household — members on Instagram, writing, “As a lot of you have got heard by now, my father and mom, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, together with my sister, Amber and brother-in-law, Nathan, in addition to our expensive associates Melodi Hodges, Larry and Melissa Haynie have been concerned in a tragic aircraft crash on Friday.”
“Thanks for the prayers which were prolonged already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born child boy, in addition to Jason’s mother and father, Dan and Linda Clark,” she went on. “We recognize your continued prayers, love and assist as we navigate the approaching days.”
In the identical submit, the band’s administration workforce wrote, “The most effective liked Gospel music households in America, The Nelons have been concerned in a tragic, deadly aircraft crash on Friday afternoon on their option to be a part of the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. Killed within the crash have been Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler and their assistant, Melodi Hodges, together with the pilot, Larry Haynie and his spouse, Melissa. The Nationwide Transportation Security Board is investigating the accident.”
“Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman weren’t on the aircraft and arrived safely into Seattle and have been notified of the accident,” the assertion went on. “They have been delivered to the lodge the place artists have been gathered with Invoice and Gloria Gaither to wish, sing and embrace them of their grief, pledging to assist them in no matter wants come up.”
It concluded, “Autumn and Jamie will return residence for now to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon and his spouse, Rhonda, to start the exhausting duties that lie forward. Please hold them, the Kistler household, the Haynie household and the household of Melodi Hodges in your prayers.”
The band was on its option to an Alaskan cruise, in accordance with a last vlog shared on the bottom in Nebraska. In line with unconfirmed stories, their Pilatus PC-12 broke up 26,000 ft over Wyoming.
The aircraft crashed at 1 p.m. close to Campbell County, Wyoming, The New York Occasions stories, with a 38-acre brush hearth ensuing.
As soon as referred to as the Rex Nelon Singers, the Atlanta-based band was launched by the household patriarch in 1977 as a spin-off from the band the Lefevres. They have been recognized for the Christian songs “Come Morning” and “We Shall Put on a Gown and Crown.”
The group modified members many occasions over time, however by 2014 have been a trio with Kelly, Jason and Amber, who was honored as Feminine Vocalist of the Yr on the Completely Gospel Music Awards 10 years in the past. All three had been within the group for greater than 20 years on the time of their tragic passing.
In more moderen occasions, the trio had expanded to a quartet, to incorporate Autumn.
The Nelons, in all their incarnations, had launched greater than 50 studio and compilation albums throughout the previous 47 years.
Gospel nice Sandi Patty was among the many hundreds of well-wishes who reached out to the band’s surviving member and their family members, writing, “Sending all of the like to you.”
