'Our World Has Been Rocked': 3 Of GA's The Nelons Die In Plane Wreck

CAMPBELL COUNTY, WY — Days after a Wyoming plane crash killed three members of Georgia-based gospel quartet The Nelons and four others, Todd Nelon said the family's world "has been rocked."

Gaither Music Group identified those killed in the Friday afternoon crash as Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler, and their assistant, Melodi Hodges. The pilot, Larry Haynie and his wife, Melissa, were also killed in the crash, Gaither Music said.

With the loss of three of its members, Todd Nelon said on Monday that the family is turning its attention toward fundraising for funeral expenses.

Todd Nelon was identified by Gaither Music as Kelly Nelon Clark's brother.

"I wanted to tell everybody thank you for all you've done in the midst of a nightmare," Todd Nelon said Monday in a Facebook video. "We all appreciate your prayers. ... Our world has been rocked unlike anything we've ever seen. That poor little girl, Autumn, lost everything; and, we will get through. We are strong. Our faith is strong. We know where all those guys are. ... We know where they are. We don't have a doubt. We know we'll see them again."

Autumn Nelon Streetman, who was identified by Gaither Music as the youngest daughter of Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, was not on the plane at the time of the crash, Gaither said. Streetman's Instagram identified her as the fourth member of The Nelons.

Todd Nelon said Streetman is "like a daughter" to him and said the family is fundraising to help Streetman pay for services and the upkeep of a family farm.

"I will protect her," Todd Nelon said. "We're going to set up some things to help her. ... Pretty soon you're going to see something, and I need everybody to help."

Streeman plans to continue to sing though she is unsure how to do so without her family by her side, she said in a Facebook post released Saturday.

She asked for prayers and emphasized her faith in God.

"I don’t have the words to comprehend how I feel right now & I’m not sure when I will, if ever but I do want to take the time to say thank you all for the outpouring love you have sent my family. Thank you to my Gaither family who embraced us last evening when we got to Seattle," Streetman said Saturday.

"I’m not sure what lies ahead, I don’t know how to even sing without my family standing by my side but If there’s one thing that I am sure of, is that God is still good, even in moments where I feel absolutely weak and not sure how to go on, he’s been faithful and as long as he keeps giving me breath in my lungs I will continue to sing of his goodness. Please continue to keep our family in your prayers as we try to navigate through this tragedy as well as the my grandparents & family, the Kistler family, the Haynie family & the Hodges family. 'In my weeping & rejoicing, when my world is good or when it falls apart, I’m held by the hand of an unseen God.'"

What happened in the crash?

Campbell County (Wyoming) officials said Friday the crash happened around 1 p.m. north of Gillette.

Gaither Music said the seven people killed were heading to the "Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska."

Preliminary details show the crash occurred during a problem with the auto pilot, said Keith Holloway, a spokesperson with the National Transportation Safety Board, to the Associated Press.

Campbell County officials said the crash prompted a wild fire. Crews utilized various suppression efforts, including an aircraft, on the blaze, county officials said.

The NTSB is investigating the crash. County officials did not identify those killed in the crash.

Remembering Those Killed

The Nelons were the Gospel Music Association 2016 Hall of Fame inductee, according to their website. They have garnered several GMA Dove Awards, including their award for Inspirational Album of the Year in 1993.

Kelly Nelon Clark is a 2024 inductee for the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame and Museum, the association said Monday.

"The Gospel Music community morns with the Clark and Nelon family," SGMA President Arthur Rice said in a statement. "We pray for comfort and peace that only a loving Savior can bring. There are some things that only heaven will fix."

Gov. Brian Kemp on Saturday identified Haynie as board chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections.

"Marty, the girls and I, are truly saddened to learn of the tragic death of Larry Haynie and his wife, Lisa, along with all those lost in this horrible plane accident," Kemp wrote Saturday on Facebook. "As chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections board and through a career of valued service in public safety, Larry's impact on our state will not be forgotten. We will continue to hold his memory and that enduring commitment to his fellow Georgians in our hearts and memories."

Kemp requested prayers for the gospel community and for the families of those killed.

The Department of Corrections tweeted it is heartbroken by the loss of the Haynies.

"Not only were Larry and Lisa devoted to one another, to their grandchildren and family, but they were also devoted to - and staunch supporters of - the GDC family. Please take time today and in the many days ahead to pray for peace and comfort for their family and the families of the others who were lost as we all navigate this tragedy," the GDC tweeted on X.

Meanwhile, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr tweeted said his office is praying for the GDC, the gospel community and the victims' families.

Villa Rica Police shared a statement on Facebook, calling the Haynies the department's friends.

"Larry and Lisa supported us at every turn, were generous to our department beyond measure, and constantly gave to the VR community without ever asking for anything in return. They were true servants. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends," police wrote on Facebook.

Funding for the Nelons is being collected via Project Love Thy Neighbor.