Donations, Condolences Pour in as Churches Ready to Bury Pastor's Three Daughters and Friend Killed in Crash
As they prepare for heartbreaking funerals on Saturday and Sunday, thousands of dollars in donations and a flood of support have been pouring in for the families of a Florida pastor's three daughters and their male friend who died in a horrific accident on their way home from a convention last Sunday.
The Rev. Ricardo Welch of Prayer Tower Church of God in Christ in south St. Petersburg, Florida, was hit with the heartbreaking news Sunday that his three daughters: Tehira, 18, India, 24, and L'Amour Welch, 29, died in a crash along with their musician friend Antwayne Robinson, 25, of North Carolina on their way home from a convention.
Jennifer Zuniga, 30, of Venus, Florida, who reportedly caused the crash after she lost control of her pickup, hydroplaned, crossed the center line on State Road 70 and struck the vehicle carrying the pastor's three daughters and their friend, also died. Only Zuniga's 6-year-old son, Cort Thivierge, survived.
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A gofundme campaign seeking to raise funds to help defray the cost of the funerals of the three sisters scheduled for Saturday has almost met its $30,000 goal, while another campaign seeking to raise $13,000 for Robinson's burial scheduled for Sunday was at just over the $3,000 mark early Friday.
"Ken, I'm so deeply sorry for your tremendous loss. I lost my niece when she was 20, and it was devastating — I can only imagine your grief loosing three precious angels. God bless you and the entire Welch family," wrote supporter John Boscarino on the campaign for the three sisters.
Heather Arnold wrote: "I have no words. This loving family has been in my thoughts and prayers every minute of every day. L'Amour was a beautiful young lady, inside and out. I am so blessed to have had the pleasure of knowing her. We are all better people for knowing and loving these ladies."
In remembering Robinson on his campaign page, Rachealle Paul called him "God's musician."
"So sorry for your loss. He was a sweet young man. God's Musician."
On Robinson's Facebook page, friends shared memories and expressed the hurt left behind by the loss.
The accident happened after a day of song and prayer, according to a Tampa Bay Times report, and their cousin, Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch, said the way in which they died was their story.
"The way their life ended is their story," said Welch. "They were coming back from a convention that celebrated their faith. I know they're in a good place now because they not only talked faith, they walked faith."
India Welch, who was about to sign with a record label, met Robinson through music which the Welch family is known for.
A recording of India singing "Goodbye Fear, Hello Victory" can be heard on YouTube while another shows her singing with Robinson and her sister, La'Mour, according to the Times.
And singing, said Welch, was like a calling for his cousin.
"Her light will forever illuminate throughout this community," said Terri Lipsey Scott, director of the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, about India. "She has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all who had the pleasure of meeting her."
"These three young ladies lived for the Lord," Rene Flowers, a family member through marriage and member of the Pinellas County School Board, told the Times. "They are shining examples of what every mom and dad would want in their daughters."
