Three young girls from Florida church killed in car wreck

Danielle, Savannah and Janelle (Photo provided by Tom Dugan)

Tragedy has struck the Airport Road Church of Christ in Crestview, Fla.
Three young sisters who attended the northwest Florida church with their mother, Jenny Furr-Higdon, were killed in a car wreck this week, said Thomas R. Dugan, the congregation’s prison minister.
“There are no words to express the sorrow,” Dugan told The Christian Chronicle.
The Northwest Florida Daily News reported on the crash:

Three sisters from Crestview were killed and their grandmother was seriously injured Tuesday in a traffic accident in Wing, Ala., just north of the Florida line.
“It was the worst thing we’ve had in Wing in awhile,” said Derek Henley, a firefighter with the Wing Volunteer Fire Department who responded to the 7 p.m. wreck.
The Alabama Department of Public Safety identified the victims as Danielle Pippins, 8; Janelle Pippins, 8; and Savannah Furr Pippins, 11. They all attended Okaloosa County schools.

Read the full report.
Dugan shared this tribute:

The girls’ mother, Jenny, is the daughter of J.W. Furr and Wilma, former preacher of the Baker Church of Christ some years ago.
Many will ask, “Why have these three children had to die?” They had been visiting with their paternal grandmother who was bringing them home from Andalusia, Ala., and had no idea an 18-year-old Birmingham girl coming down a cross road was not going to stop at the intersection. Instantly they were hit in the side of the car, and just that quick, three little lives ended on this earth, and they went to be with the Lord, who will take them in his loving arms. It is those left behind who must cope with the loss.
What do you say to a mother, a stepfather and four stepbrothers and sisters, the paternal and maternal grandparents, an uncle who loved and was very close to them? The father and his extended family? The extended physical family, teachers and classmates at school, church and neighborhood friends and playmates? Are there comforting words? Do we “understand what they are going through?” NO!
What about the two girls and their families in the car that ran the stop sign and caused this tragedy?  Nothing compares to the pain and agony they are and will be going through realizing what they have caused. What was involved and what distraction caused this tragedy? Were they talking or texting, looking for directions? No doubt something distracted them for just those few seconds, and it is all over. What effect will it have on the rest of their lives?
Many will hear of this tragedy through the instantaneous communications of Facebook, texting, emails, telephone, radio or television, but another event will soon push this to the back burner, and life goes on. But what be our concern for all of these a week after the funerals? Will it have any longterm effect on our lives? Back to work or school, another baseball practice, and soon a lonely mother wonders: Does anyone remember? Does anyone care? Does God even care?
When all the ceremonies are over and everyone has gone home, this is the time we must show the true love of our Lord. It is then our real concern for others will shine. It is not the big grandiose things we do but those little acts of kindness we “have done unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).
Do all you can now, but don’t forget Savannah, Danielle and Janelle can’t cheer their mother, but they want you to help!
Their funeral is today. Jason Green, former minister at Airport Road who now works with the Prattville Church of Christ in Prattville, Ala., will officiate. The sisters will be buried together in the Shockley Springs cemetery north of Baker, Fla.

• Feedback
  My heart aches for all the families. I will lift them up in prayer. Only God can comfort them, as He does. Words from us mere mortals are severely inadequate at this time.

  Teresa Lewis

  June, 17 2011

  Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
  Celia, aka Jenny, has been a friend of mine since kindergarten. We have grown up together as PKs (preachers Kids) in the Church of Christ. JW Furr is her father and Thomas Dugan is mine. We rode the same bus, were in the same classes, and love the same Lord. Keep her in your prayers as this is the most terrible of events that could possibly occur. Pray for all of us to carry on with strength. Pray for our hearts to be ready for our time, as this shows us tomorrow isnt guaranteed.
  I love you all
  Thank you
  Daniel

  Daniel Dugan

  June, 17 2011

  So very, very heartbreaking. Praying for the family.

  LaWanda Jacobs Schneider

  June, 17 2011

  I am crying for this family. I can’t even imagine the immense pain they are experiencing. Praying for them. Let us know if there is anything that can be done to help by those of us that are strangers to the family. Praying for sure.

  Debbie Haney Whiddon

  June, 17 2011

  My prayers go out to this family.

  Barbara Perry

  June, 17 2011

  This breaks my heart and really hits home. I have 3 girls and cannot imagine a loss like that!I remember Celia from school. I will be remembering this family in my prayers. Praying God can ease the pain and help them to cope.
  Ginger Wilson

  Ginger Wilson

  June, 17 2011

  To the family of the three beautiful angels, whom God has called home to Glory…I extend to you my deepest sympathy. Know assuredly that you are in our prayers. Our God will comfort you and keep you in perfect peace. We love you and pray that you will keep your hands in God’s hands as you mourn the loss of your daughters.
  In His service,
  YSIC
  La Joy

  La Joy Morris

  June, 17 2011

  My heart weeps for these darling little girls. It’s so sad on both families and all individuals concerned,because this will be felt throughout the world, My prayers are with/for both families. God shall wipe your tears in his time. God Bless

  Carol Bucks

  June, 18 2011

  Only!….. God can hear…. Comfort…& heal this type of pain & disparity !!!,,,
  there are no words that can be spoken from imortal lips that can begin to
  provide a relief !!!…. But God will send a comforter … Unlike man… He will
  Wipe ALL tears away….

  Kim

  June, 18 2011

  It is true that everyone involved in this tragedy is deeply effected and will be for the rest of their lives. It is not true however, that texting or talking were involved, nor were alcohol or drugs. A major contributing factor was a poorly designed intersection with inadequate warning of what is ahead (see Andalusia Star link below). It is natural to seek a reason for any tragedy. Assumptions, however do not further the cause and they are hurtful to those about whom they are made. May God grant His immeasurable grace and comfort to all those effected by this great tragedy.
  http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/2011/06/18/wing-residents-want-caution-light/

  Keith

  June, 19 2011

  My prayers are with this family.
  I lost my son a year ago. Keep close to your friends.
  Allow them to help you.
  And know that it will be alright to smile again.
  In christian love,

  Betty

  June, 20 2011

  Praying for the family. May the Lord give them the strength, comfort, peace of mind, and understanding that they need at this time. May the family find a source of comfort and strength through the power of prayer, scriptures, and family & friends who are near by.
  In Christian Love,
  Keya Dacus

  Keya Dacus

  June, 22 2011

  Crying and praying for everyone in this horrible accident.

  Tlhanger

  June, 24 2011

  We know this is truly a test of your faith. Death always is … it is the portal between the here and now and heaven’s gate. May God send the Comforter to hold you up and keep you peaceful in the knowing that your three precious darlings are in the Lord’s lap wrapped up in his love and cocooned in sheer joy. May God hold your tender hearts in His hands and infuse you with strength during the “too quiet” times, peace when your mind feels turbulance and every other thing you will need from this day forward. We will be lifting you up in prayer from Middlebury, IN.

  Brenda

  June, 25 2011

  We are so sorry to hear of the tragic loss of your beautiful daughters. I ask the Comforter to do only what He can. I can’t even begin to know what to ask. I believe and know that our great God knows the pain you are in and He will strengthen you. Please know that your brothers and sisters in RI will be lifting you up in prayer.
  Love,Pam for the South County Church of Christ

  Pam

  June, 25 2011

  We sometimes find it difficult to understand what happens to us but the bible says …our God is in heaven he does what pleases to him…(Psalm 127:3) So in time like this prayer is the key – Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you..Psalm 50:15. May God therefore give the family a big heart to accommodate the pain they are going through, Amen. email: [email protected] Ghana. West Africa. Preacher New Town church of Christ.

  Emmanuel Osei

  June, 27 2011

  It is very very painful. So death can come in a minute!!! God alone can comfort in this type of situation.

  Akerigba Jacob

  July, 4 2011

  I Feel Horrible For All Of This . Savannah Was One Of The Sweetest Girls I Knew . She Went To My School . Almost Everyday , She’d Give Me A Hug When I Saw Her . I Had Never Met A Girl Like Her Before . & My Aunt Lives Right Across From Her . I’m Praying For This Family . When I Found Out Savannah Was Killed With Her Sisters , I Didn’t Think It Was True . . . . Then I Looked It Up , & There It Was . . . . Plain As Day . I Started Crying & Praying That God Would Help This Family Through The Ruff Time . . . . She’d Always Talk About Her Sisters , & How One Day I Would Meet Them . . . . I Give You My Condolences , Furr Family . & May God Help Everyone In This Family & Pray That Everything Will Be Okay With This Family . . . .
  God Bless .
  Full With Prayer ,
  -Lisa Jade Price<3

  Lisa Jade Price

  July, 14 2011