Funerals Begin for Tornado Victims

David Helms buried his wife and two sons Saturday, the first of many funerals set for tornado-ravaged communities in Alabama trying to rebuild and hold on to hope at Easter.

A day normally filled with talk of revival instead offered the funeral as a reminder of the Wednesday night tornadoes that blasted through the South, leaving 40 dead: 33 in Alabama, one in North Carolina, one in Mississippi and at least five in Georgia. Hundreds more were injured.

Debra Helms, 33, and her sons, Colby, 7, and Carson, 4, died when the tornado hit. The ceiling apparently collapsed on them as they rushed to the basement when the warning sirens sounded.

“It appears they did everything they were supposed to do when a tornado hits,” the Rev. Henry Staggs said in the eulogy. “Only God understands why this happened. We can’t see what he sees.”

Under vivid blue skies, about 300 mourners watched a single coffin carrying Debra and her sons brought into Forest Grove Cemetery. Five more funerals are planned there for Monday.

Also buried Saturday were Bruce Skinner Jr. and Rebecca Skinner, the only two to die in St. Clair County, about 40 miles away from Birmingham. The Skinners’ three children were orphaned.

The largest of the three twisters packed winds of up to 300 mph and did most of the damage. Officials estimate 1,100 homes were destroyed and 900 damaged.

As power and telephone workers continued rewiring in the hard-hit suburb of Rock Creek, residents sorted through the debris.

“A house, a house, a trailer, a house, a house,” said Bobby Aaron, pointing to empty spots on Warrior River Road, where people’s homes once sat.

One of those who saw his house leveled was David Grubbs, whose wife, Jane, was in critical condition Saturday with severe head injuries.

“The people say they can’t give me any help until they come inspect it,” Grubbs said. “Hell, what are they going to inspect? I know eventually everything will be replaced. Right now, I just don’t want my wife to die.”

Others were just looking for help. Federal workers went street to street telling victims how to receive loans and grants to rebuild.

Clothes and food continued coming in at donation stations, but Red Cross officials were encouraging monetary donations.

“Right now, people don’t need old clothes,” said Kerry Onyett of the Red Cross. “We’re asking for money, which we turn into vouchers and give to victims so they can go out and get food and anything else they need.”

Rick Cooper, pastor of the demolished Open Door Church, said a woman drove from Colorado to personally hand him a check to go toward rebuilding.

“I appreciate government, and I appreciate the things they do for us,” Cooper said. “But what I really love is people. I’ve seen so many people just showing up here, saying, ‘I’m here, I’m ready to work, what do you need?’ ”