SCS to honor South Memphis fire victims

Shelby County Schools will honor the children who died in the Sept. 12 house fire with a plaque on the playground where four of the seven attended school.

Board member Billy Orgel made the suggestion during a work session Tuesday night, and the idea became a plan nearly instantaneously.

“I wonder if we can maybe do something for the memory of those kids,” Orgel said during a discussion of a new playground surface that will be added at Cummings Elementary.

A plaque would be there forever, he said, and wouldn’t cost much.

“I think it’s an excellent idea,” Superintendent Dorsey Hopson said, and immediately directed staff members to make it happen.

Three adults and seven children died in the fire on Severson Avenue in South Memphis: LaKisha Ward, 27; Carol Collier, 56; Eloise Futrell, 61; and Futrell’s seven grandchildren: Angel Mitchell, 17; Cameron Hollingsworth, 10; Ernest Jett III, 9; Diamond Jett, 8; Alonzo Ward, 7; Kiera Jett, 5 and Precious Rose Jett, 2.

Hopson said he has encouraged his staff to donate to funds set up for the families affected by the early-morning fire, which trapped everyone who was living in the tiny house.

“It just reminds us of the poverty that so many of our students live in,” Hopson said.

An account has been established at First Tennessee Bank in the family’s name to help pay for funeral services. To donate, contact First Tennessee Bank.