Memorial remembers victims of 2019 tornado

BEAUREGARD, Ala. — A new memorial in Beauregard remembers the nearly two dozen people killed when a deadly tornado swept through the east Alabama county last year.

The names and images of the 23 victims who died during the storm are etched into main layer of the stone monument, WSFA reports. The second layer is dedicated to the first responders and volunteers. At the top is a cross and the saying, Beauregard Strong, an expression that the community used to rally together as they rebuilt from the storm.

“It’s so beautiful, Tyesha Hart, who lost her 8-year-old daughter Mykhayla, told the station. “It gives me peace and solace.”

The monument was constructed at Providence Baptist Church

“The original thought here was to create something that would first of all be a memorial to those victims who were killed in the tornado, said Tom Smith from Providence Baptist Church. The second thing was to honor basically those people who came as first responders. And then the third aspect was to honor those who volunteered and gave of their time.”

Bobby Kidd’s grandson AJ is the youngest victim on the memorial

“Seeing the picture, the name, the date will be hard because it brings back so much memories and so much emotion. But it’s positive to know he hasn’t been forgotten,” Kidd said.

Some families lost multiple members to the deadly EF4 tornado.

Cora Jones has nine family members honored, including her brother, father and mother.

“Me and my brother, we were just in tears because it is so pretty,” she said.

Additionally, a new decal on

Lee County sheriff’s department vehicles will also remember the 23 victims. The decal simply bears the number “23” and will be displayed on the back of marked patrol units.

“We offer our respect to the families and are humbled to honor loved ones lost,” the sheriff’s department said in a Facebook post. “If you are not sure what this image means then just ask anyone from Beauregard. They know.”