PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (KTHV) – April 27, 2014 is a day that forever will be embedded in the minds of Arkansans. Sixteen lives were lost that day when a strong tornado tore through Pulaski, White, and Faulkner Counties.
The Tittle family were the first victims that night. They lost three of their own – a father and his two daughters. For the first time since that night in April, Kerry Tittle shared her story with THV11's Laura Monteverdi.
“Everything went black, dark, and we saw trees—40-50 foot trees—just laying down,” recalled tornado survivor, Kerry Tittle. “So immediately, everyone just ran to the center hall of the home.”
The Tittle’s family home in Ferndale was in the direct path of a tornado.
“It happened so quickly that we couldn't all get there,” said Tittle.
Seven of the nine Tittle children, including a six-month-old, made it under the stairwell moments before the tornado slammed into the home, wiping it off the foundation. Kerry's husband and two of their daughters were the only ones who didn't make it in time.
“I don't remember anything after that. I think that was probably when I was unconscious, but when I did get up, I had realized that I was the only one that was going to walk away of the four,” described Tittle.
Twenty-year-old Tori, 14-year-old Rebekah, and the patriarch of the family, Rob, did not survive.
“Tori loved people. She and I were total opposites,” remembered Tittle. “Rebekah…she was amazing. She loved Civil War History. I would say [Rob] had good work ethic. His children remember him as a project guy.”
Tittle said she doesn’t recall much of the first seven months after the tornado.
“I don't know if there is any other possible way that someone could go through a trauma like that without that hope,” said Tittle.
That hope is what Kerry and her family have clung to in the days, weeks, and months that followed. She said her family focused their attention on God to weather the storm that lay ahead. Her church of 18 years, Bible Church in West Little Rock, was her biggest support system.
“I love this place. I love the people in this place. They are my family,” added Tittle. “Our church has been a big support in that because even when you’re a strong mom, you still have your weak moments, and I feel like there was a lot of weak moments.”
Support came pouring in, not only from their church family but from around the world.
“We got letters from all over the country just encouraging us, making prayer cards for us,” said Tittle.
A family friend even wrote and recorded a song titled "Beautiful Scars" the day after the storm (http://on.kthv.com/1TwYtwx). It was played during Rob, Tori, and Rebekah's funerals.
Their story of heartbreaking loss became an inspiration for so many.
“This tragedy. It was a horrible thing, but God used that to change lives,” said Tittle. “It’s been amazing to watch those kinds of stories unfold from this.”
Tittle said her family built a new home nearby, complete with a safe room. It’s a new normal for the single mom, who prays her story of loss and heartache restores faith in those who need it most.
“That’s not an identity I would choose, but it has opened a lot of meaningful conversations to share my faith and to talk a lot about God's grace. So I don't know if I would trade that,” said Tittle.
Tittle has returned to the location of the old home a few times since that night. All that remains is a slab of concrete, and a cross made with two pieces of wood.
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