On what should have been 8-year-old Blakely McCrory's first day of third grade, her family is instead reflecting on her memory after she tragically lost her life during the Kerr County floods that hit Camp Mystic earlier this summer. The young girl, remembered for her vibrant personality and confident nature, became one of the at least 27 casualties in what has been marked as one of the most devastating natural disasters to strike the Texas Hill Country.
Lindsey McLeod McCrory, Blakely's mother, was abroad in Europe when the tragic events unfolded and spoke to KPRC 2 about the harrowing experience of learning about her daughter's disappearance. "I froze. I threw the phone on the table inside the boat," said Lindsey in an interview obtained by KPRC 2. Her loss permeates through the recollections of a child whose life was marked by laughter and a funny sense of humor that easily endeared her to those around her.
According to a People interview obtained by KHOU, Lindsey described Blakely as a "special little girl" and a prankster who once placed her pet turtle in her mom's purse. Tragedy is not unfamiliar to the McCrory family, having faced the sudden death of Blakely's father in March and the passing of her uncle, Chanse, in June of this year.
After the floods, Lindsey received a letter Blakely had written from camp, showing a glimpse into her child's experience before the disaster struck. "Dear Mom, How are you? I am good," and the camp was "amazing," Blakely penned, with a hint of her love for tennis, horseback riding, and the joy that first-time camping brought her, as noted by KHOU. A counselor recounted to Lindsey how Blakely had remained brave, telling other campers not to be afraid as water rose around them – a testament to her courage in the face of fear.
Lindsey now carries a green and white beaded necklace that reads "Mystic," a symbol of her daughter's time at camp and an extension of the one Blakely wore. This piece has become more than jewelry; it's a connection to a life lived with passion and love. The Blakely Memorial Fund has been established in Blakely's honor, intended to support her school, Memorial Lutheran, and its students. As Lindsey and her family navigate through this period of mourning, they hope that Blakely's story will continue to resonate with strength and love enduring in the wake of the deepest tragedy.
