Father mourns death of wife, 3 kids at funeral

By Brian Formica
WBTW News 13 Reporter
Published: May 18, 2008

As one looked around the church in Hamer Sunday, it was hard not to notice the massive amounts of flowers and tears.  They surrounded four caskets of a family, killed in Tuesday’s house fire in Dillon.  Despite the massive amounts of sadness though, there was a feeling of hope. 

“I think that compassion part of us is what makes us reach out to one another and I think that’s what helps us go through and survive,” said Rev. Johnnie Coe who knew the family for over 14 years.  The hearts in the room went out to the father, forced to say goodbye to an entire family that was taken from him in a single night.  The community sat behind him, willing to give everything and anything in support. 

“Everybody is just pitching in, it’s what they can do to help, you know, because nobody prepared for this and so people call and lend a hand anyway they possible can,” said James Lighty, who’s mother was the neighbor of the family.  The three small boys who died in the fire were only two, three and four.  Their mother, Jennifer Sowells was only twenty-seven.  Now a father who would ordinarily turn to that family, must turn to those around him, to make it through.

“People that come together with the love and support….that’s what helps us overcome,” said Coe.