Petal Lives Lost: Katie Keys, Nic Warren, Bernard Payton

6/20/24 - Please read update below (scroll down the page)

On May 17, 2024, a hot and muggy Mississippi almost-summer night, three students walked across the stage at Petal High School's graduation ceremony. Dressed in their cap and gowns and dress shoes, they shook hands with the principal and grabbed their diplomas, excited and nervous about their futures and on the precipice of starting their life as young adults. Tragically, a month later, all three were killed together in an awful car accident. Their lives have been cut short, and their family, their friends, and their community is left heartbroken and hurting. I am just one of many, many teachers that have interacted with these students, and I am expressing a collective desire from our community to help these families as they go through this unspeakable tragedy. I had Nic as a student all four years of high school. His journey was not always easy, but he fought hard to get across that stage and I hope he truly knew how proud we all were of him.

The goal of this fundraiser is to help collect money and prayers for the families of all three children killed: Katie Keys, Nic Warren, and Bernard Payton. All money collected will be equally split between all three families to help cover the costs for funerals, missed work, travel for family members, medical bills, or any other unexpected related expenses. Please share this fundraiser so that the families can receive as much monetary support as possible. Details on funeral arrangements and services for all three children will be forthcoming.

The loss of these three young lives is a terrible hurt on the Petal community. Please pray for all of these families that they may find the strength to get through these dark days.

(Photos compliments of Goodwin Photography)