Daylight brought a closer look at the destruction of the stormy night. The continuing rain made recovering items from the home much more urgent.

It took only a matter of moments for a tornado to destroy the home of Josh and Brianna Hendren in the Elizabeth community in Crockett County. But in the aftermath of the devastation, their family and friends have rallied around them, with plans in place for a benefit dinner on Saturday, April 26.

An unexpected storm on March 19 destroyed virtually all of the young family's possessions, scattering what was left of their mobile home across a nearby field in an explosion of Mother Nature's fury.

But the Lord's protective hand kept the family safe and family and friends from two communities have provided an abundance of love and support. Support that has the Hendren family thanking God for sheltering them from the violent weather and sparing the most treasured gifts of all, their lives.

This assortment of photos and a yearbook from Holice Powell Elementary School were salvaged from the debris of the Hendren home. Brianna Hendren's mother made the collage for her church newsletter, a reminder of the treasures that cannot be replaced by an insurance policy. [Click to enlarge]

The son of Peggy and Sid Hendren of Bonicord, Josh Hendren grew up in the Bonicord community and graduated from Dyersburg High School. He also attended DSCC. Both he and his wife, Brianna, are employed in Dyersburg and attend West Dyersburg Church of Christ with their 4-year-old daughter, Ashlyn.

As they always do when the weather report calls for strong storms, the young family sought shelter at the home of Brianna's parents. When the storm, predicted to bring straight-line winds, instead produced a tornado at approximately 1:15 a.m., they were safe in the house next door.

"The whole night was unusual," said Brianna's mother, Cheryl Ferrell. "No lightning, thunder or hail that usually accompanies severe weather. It was so unexpected."

Ferrell said the gathering winds caused her family to seek shelter in their 'safe spot,' but another gust of wind hit before they could make it. In just moments, the devastation was complete.

"Our house made a loud pop, we lost our electricity and within seconds it was over," said Ferrell. "A loud roar of wind was all that was heard. We didn't hear the crashing and crunching of the mobile home like you would have expected, only when we looked out did we discover the damage."

Ferrell said the mobile home owned by her daughter's family was devastated by the storm, which made its path known by scattering debris across the field behind them.

"It looked like it picked the mobile home up and then dropped it with an explosion," said Ferrell. "Everything is ruined, severely dented, scratched, broken, scarred and, some things, we don't know where they are. Now the cleanup is all but over. The kids are staying with us. Trying to decide a permanent situation is the all-consuming thought."

The response from Hendren's neighbors has been overwhelming, with members of the Elizabeth community planning a benefit for Saturday, April 26, at the Friendship Community Center, also known as the old Friendship Elementary School. The benefit is a fish and country ham supper, with carryouts beginning at 4:30 p.m. and dining-in offered from 5 to 7 p.m.

"When I went to bed that evening, they said the threat of tornados was over," said Josh's mother, Peggy Hendren, who still replays the phone call from her son over in her mind. "The thing that sticks in my mind, is his voice on the phone. He said, 'Mama, my house is gone. It's gone.' And I could hear Brianna screaming in the background. That just still haunts me. It was an awful thing."

"It is a very difficult thing to put into words, the emotion being so intense," said Ferrell. "The one thing I feel is important to relay is how humbled we are. Everyone has rallied around us to help, creating a new hope for Josh, Brianna and Ashlyn. From a mother's heart, I will be eternally grateful to everyone for helping my children. I know God has been with us. We feel His protection and I can only praise Him for sparing the lights of my life."

Advanced tickets to the benefit are available for $10 from any Elizabeth United Methodist Church member, the Crockett Telephone Company or Friendship Bank. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. The benefit is being organized by the Elizabeth United Methodist Church and Friends. Those interested in additional information may contact Jennifer Brown at (731) 677-3179 or Sandra Vernon at (731) 677-2304.