“They had a special bond,” Herbert Taylor of Sandersville, Georgia, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution of his and wife Crystal’s son, 4-year-old Derrick, and daughter, 7-year-old Harmony.
Derrick and Harmony were two of the victims of Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm that made landfall Sept. 26 in Florida and left a path of devastation in its wake, from the Gulf Coast to the North Carolina mountains. Helene has been responsible for at least 177 deaths in the southeast.
Derrick and Harmony died after an oak tree fell on the family’s home while the children were sleeping.
Their mom Crystal, a paraprofessional who works at her children’s school in Sandersville, just started her educational journey at Grand Canyon University a few weeks ago, working toward her bachelor’s degree in educational studies.
“Crystal is a lovely person. It’s horrible and tragic what happened,” said Melissa Murray, her university counselor. “She’s such a strong, faithful, hard-working mother that didn’t deserve this.”
Crystal is studying to be a certified teacher.
Derrick and Harmony were asleep in their bed while their parents and older sister, 11-year-old Cassidy, were in another part of the home the night of Sept. 26.
Around 4 a.m. early the next morning, Crystal was awoken by her mother, who asked if the trees in the yard were still standing.
Herbert peeked outside then started making his way to Derrick and Harmony’s bedroom when the tree fell on the children’s bed. The accident also sparked an electrical fire.
Emergency responders put out the fire but weren’t able to recover the children until about five hours later.
Friends of the family have set up a Go Fund Me account to help with funeral expenses and the loss of the Taylors’ home and most of their belongings.
As of 9:30 a.m. today, $83,496 has been raised.
Crystal told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Derrick and Harmony “were made for each other,” a reference to a song they often sang together, Muni Long’s “Made for Me.”
Harmony loved to dance and wear dresses and tutus, McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets and sweet tea, and Orbit chewing gum.
Derrick, who was autistic, loved Hot Wheels and watching “Peppa Pig,” “Bluey,” “Blippi” and his gymnastics class.
“I pray they’re able to find comfort and solace at this time,” Murray said.
