WATERS

the hot, smoky fire that trapped them all behind security doors in their South Memphis home.

So did their half-sister, Angel, age 16, and their grandmother, Eloise Futrell, age 61.

Kiera and Diamond were rushed to the hospital that morning, but died when they got there.

The school-age children attended Cummings K-8 School, just around the corner on Walker and less than a quarter-mile from their house.

Their father, Ernest Jett Jr., who sat in the front pew at the funeral next to his ex-wife, mother of the five youngest children, walked them to school.

“Every morning, they would come into the cafeteria, and they’d be marching like soldiers. They’d be excited about what was going forward for the day,” principal Key Coleman said at the funeral.

“And after the day would end and conclude, Mr. Jett would be out front, waiting for his kids, and they’d run up to him and big hugs and he would be high-fiving and again commending them about a day well done.”

The school is less than a quarter-mile from Metropolitan Baptist Church, site of Friday’s funeral.

It is directly across the street from Elmwood Cemetery, where seven of the victims were laid to rest Friday afternoon.

Funerals for the other three victims of the fire — Jett’s girlfriend, LaKisha Ward, 27; their son Alonzo, 7; and family friend Carol Collier, 56 — will be held Saturday.

The fire’s 10th and final victim was 10-yearold Cameron. His casket was on the far left along the altar.

“Carefree Cameron” his aunt said. “He’s the tackler of the family. He’s a busy body but no worries. Mild-mannered. Always greeting you with a hug and a smile.”

Cameron was rushed to the hospital early that Monday morning on life support. He held on for more than two days.

On Sept. 14, his father said Cameron would be allowed to die and his organs would be donated so “we can stop another family from going through what my family is going through.” Cameron died Sept. 15.

At Friday’s funeral, Danita Clinton, a thirdgrade teacher at Cummings, read a letter to the family from Robert R. McDaniel, a retired Marine who said he had been on dialysis for eight years.

McDaniel said he had received one of Cameron’s kidneys.

“On Sept. 16, 2016, Cameron gave me back a part of life that I never expected, allowing me a new beginning,” McDaniel wrote.

“My promise to you is that I will never waste one moment of what I have regained. And not one day will go by that I do not think of your generous spirit.

“I’m here as living proof that Cameron’s life goes on. Cameron’s spirit lives and I hold him in my heart.”