North Webster community responds to recent tragedies
Maria Gonzalez
Special to the Minden Press-Herald
SPRINGHILL — Spring Break in north Webster Parish was marred by tragedy with the loss of two young lives, leaving the community to pick up the pieces of shattered hearts across the parish.
On Mar. 28, a text came from the North Webster Junior High School text line, just one day after Gauge Alan Malone, 14, of Plain Dealing, lost his life due to a tragic gun accident. The text encouraged the parents of his former classmates to keep his family in their prayers.
Social media was saturated with tears as people posted pictures of the Malone family, sending their love and prayers, with messages like, “Gauge was an exceptional boy. Please stop and say a prayer for his hurting family and friends — that they may find comfort and strength in the coming days, weeks, months, even years. It was a true blessing to have known him!”
Gauge’s funeral was held Saturday, March 31st at 2 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, and the love from the community could be seen even outside the church doors in the number of vehicles that filled not just one, but three church parking lots. Plus, there were more vehicles along the roads in between the churches.
On that same Saturday morning, with grief fresh in the hearts of community members, Webster Parish was blindsided by yet another tragedy in the form of a car accident that claimed the life of 11-year-old Clark “C.J.” Davis.
Another text was sent from the NWJH school line on Easter Sunday. It concluded with, “Our hearts are broken once again!”
Davis’s funeral will be held Thursday, April 5 at 10 a.m. at New Sarepta Baptist Church.
Despite all of this heartache and loss, the community stands together strongly. “Go Fund Me” accounts have been set up for both the Malone and Davis families. In addition, NWJH has been providing grief counselors since Tuesday.
“Please keep the students and staff in your prayers as Spring Break comes to an end and school resumes.” – NWJH text.
Central Baptist Church parking lot…Gauge Malone’s funeral…
Central Baptist Church parking lot…Gauge Malone’s funeral…
Gauge Malone (shared through fb)
CJ Davis (shared through fb)