Add a Memory
Make a Donation
Tennessee Church Shooting Victims
Tennessee Church Shooting Victims
Obituary
Guest Book
Tennessee Church Shooting Victims Obituary
Seven adults were also injured but no children were harmed at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. Members said they dove under pews or ran from the building when the shooting started.
Congregants tackled the gunman who was charged with first-degree murder and held on $1 million bail.
The slain man was identified as Greg McKendry, 60, a longtime church member and usher. Church member Barbara Kemper told The Associated Press that McKendry "stood in the front of the gunman and took the blast to protect the rest of us."
Linda Kraeger, 61, died at the University of Tennessee Medical Center a few hours after the shooting, Kenner said.
Five people remained hospitalized, all in critical or serious condition. Two others were treated and released.
Friends of McKendry said he was friendly with everyone.
"Greg McKendry was a very large gentleman, one of those people you might describe as a refrigerator with a head," said member Schera Chadwick, whose husband, Ted Lollis, arrived at the church just after the shooting. "He looked like a football player. He did obviously stand up and put himself in between the shooter and the congregation."
McKendry and his wife had recently taken in a foster child.
The church's minister was on vacation in western North Carolina at the time of the shooting but returned Sunday afternoon.
"We've been touched by a horrible act of violence. We are in a process of healing and we ask everyone for your prayers," the Rev. Chris Buice said in a statement outside the church. "I will tell you we love Greg McKendry. We are grieving the loss of a wonderful man."
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press
83 Entries
Lois Brock
July 31, 2008
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psalm 27:14)
FREDIA PRUITT
July 31, 2008
WITH LOVE
How you can show support
NICOLE NAIL
July 31, 2008
THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE THAN TO LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR OTHERS. KNOW THAT YOUR CHURCH FAMILY ARE IN MY PRAYERS.
CYNTHIA
July 31, 2008
WE PRAY FOR ALL .
ellen
July 31, 2008
I am so sorry this happend to these wonderful people,I will pray for the family of all the victims,and the church family
July 31, 2008
May God be with you and your families, my prayers are with you. God bless
Henryk Zaleski (USN-Ret)
July 31, 2008
Rets in peace.May God have mercy upon you and grant you eternal joy with Him in paradise.
Zenobia Carson
July 31, 2008
The man who laid down his life, and the precious woman who died as well, are dancing in heaven with Jesus! I pray for you in your time of sorrow. Your entire congregation and all of the families will remain in my prayers!
Blessings and Peace
Zenobia Carson and family
DORIS
July 30, 2008
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME!
Anonymous
July 30, 2008
May God deliver Justice to the victims of this crime...
May God deliver his comforting Angels to all of those who loved and miss them...
May God heal those who were wounded and the hearts and souls of those who were witnesses...
We pray for you all.
Concerned Citizen
July 30, 2008
"There is no better gift than to lay down one's life for his fellow man." In his selfless act this man has more than earned his crown. God's blessings to his family.
Rev. Douglas Peary, UU
July 30, 2008
My thoughts are with you as you deal with this tragedy.
Lucinda
July 30, 2008
This is so heartbreaking. My deepest sympathy to those involved.
Geri Ford
July 30, 2008
Our prayers are with your church family at this time. I pray for the families that lost loved ones and the children that witnessed such a horrorific event. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
Milton & Janet Stover
July 30, 2008
Our hearts go out to the family & church family. May the Lord comfort each and every heart. God Bless you.
Fredia Lacey
July 30, 2008
To: The Families,
May God continue to give all of you the strength to endure such an unforeseen act.
The Lacey's
July 30, 2008
For He Himself has said, "Iwill never leave you, nor forsake you." ...The LORD is my helper, I will not fear. May God bless you and comfort you.
Gail
July 30, 2008
I extend my heartfelt Sympathy. Please take comfort in knowing that God has provided a hope of a resurrection for him. ( John 5: 28,29)
Marie Barrentine
July 29, 2008
My dad was a minister for over 50 years and I cannot imagine the pain that the pastor and congregation are going through.
I pray that God will give you a peace like you have never had and that He will comfort your hearts.
Love and prayers
sherman/mary sullens
July 29, 2008
our prays are with the families hold to your faith
Amanda Stewart
July 29, 2008
God sent a very special Angel, Mr. McKendry, to earth to prove that "He who shall believe in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life with Him". When you have the Lord God Almighty on your side, you have no reason to fear the Evil! I will keep everyone involved in this awful tragedy deep in my prayers. May God bless you, give you peace and keep you close to Him during this trying time.
Cheryl Thomas
July 29, 2008
May God Bless the families of the deceased and the injured during this time of need and afterwards. May God also help in any way needed during this time.
J & D Lomax
July 29, 2008
Dear Families,
Our sincere condolences to all of you during this sorrowful time.
To those who lost their loved ones, may you take comfort in knowing that they now rest in peace. Almighty God will not forget their acts of courage.
Our prayers are with all who witnessed this tragedy. It is also our heartfelt prayer that we will soon see the time when wickedness will be eliminated, and death itself will be swallowed up forever.
(Proverbs 2:21 & 22; Isaiah 25:8).
C. Sullivan
July 29, 2008
I believe Mr. McKendry was an angel on earth and now he is with the other angels in heaven. God Bless him, the other victims and the families of all involved. I will pray that there is healing.
r lovejoy
July 29, 2008
May God be with you all; your families, the church members, and your leaders.
R.Lovejoy
Kristi Grier
July 29, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Margaret Lawson
July 29, 2008
May God be with the Families of the Victims.
Jeani Habegger McAleer
July 29, 2008
As a fellow UU, I am so deeply saddened at this tragedy and so deeply touched by the images I have seen of the church members' responses. You all are in my thoughts. Blessed be.
Lisa Wells
July 29, 2008
May the Lord rain His Peace, strength, and comfort to you during this difficult time.
Mr. & Mrs. Charles G Turner, Sr. & Family
July 29, 2008
To: The Families of the of The Tennessee Church Victims
At times like this when we don’t know what to do
Just talk to God and he will see you through
When words sometimes just won’t do and you don’t know what to say
Just talk to God and let him have his way
When friends and family come and go
Just remember that God has an open door
At times like this when words alone won’t do
May God bless and comfort you
Linda Ward
July 29, 2008
My heart and prayer goes out to all the friends and family.
R. McGuire
July 29, 2008
We are devastated at your loss. Especially the name who laid down his life for his friends. May the Lord carry you through this very sad tragedy... and strengthen you in your faith through this.
Karen Miller
July 29, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with all of your during this most difficult time. Know that the Lord is with your loved ones, holding them dear with Him in eternal life.
May God bless and comfort you.
Lynn Cook
July 29, 2008
Angels come in many forms. Now this angel is in the arms of our Lord and Savior. May the Lord be with you all.
Rachelle Ramon
July 29, 2008
I will be keeping all of you in my prayers.. God bless all of you.
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church
July 29, 2008
Please accept the prayers and sympathies from our congregation to yours. May the Lord bless you and keep you, in this troubled time and always.
Rev. Sidney Davis and the Zion Olivet Presbyterian Church family
July 29, 2008
We offer our prayers at this time of suffering and grief. God will comfort and bless you during this time, please hold on to all that is good and allow God to heal you!
pat nadeau
July 29, 2008
THE PEOPLE OF MAINE GRIEVE WITH YOU ALL.YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS. THE GOOD LORD WILL HOLD YOUR HANDS ,AND BRING YOU THRU.
Bobby & Linda Koonce
July 28, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this tragic time.
July 28, 2008
I am so sorry to hear of this sad event. Only the Lord knows why these things happen. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Apostolic Assembly Church
July 28, 2008
Our congregation will have you all in our prayers. God Bless you all, as well as church members.
christen shaughnessy
July 28, 2008
sorry about your loss
linda AUSTIN
July 28, 2008
MAY GOD BE WITH ALL OF YOU. I KNOW HOW IT IS TO HAVE A LOVE ONE TAKEN FOR I LOST MY SON A YEAR AND A HALF SAVING HIS SON FROM DROWNING. JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT GOD JUST CAME A GOT ANOTHER GOOD ANGEL TO HELP HIM.
Natasha
July 28, 2008
You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
For Matthew 5:4 said, Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
For our God will turn your mourning into gladness. He will give you comfort and joy instead of sorrow. Do not give up faith, his word will carry you on in the days ahead. God bless.
Shelton and Lois Williams
July 28, 2008
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Rev. Gloria Hall & Mt. Juliet African Methodist Episcopal Church
July 28, 2008
Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
Rev. Joseph P Hildebrandt Sr
July 28, 2008
Take comfort that Jesus Christ has overcame the world and those with faith in him will see eternal life. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ comfort you all at this terrible time. May His perfect peace give you strength to carry on.
sara cash
July 28, 2008
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND THIS
MOST DIFFACULT TIME FOR
ALL THE CHURCH MEMBERS WHO
WERE THERE AND THE ENTIRE
TOWN.
Rhonda Mitchell
July 28, 2008
Prayers are going up for you and your community all across this great nation. Please know that it is Jesus who will be your comfort and strength during your time of grief. Only He can bring understanding. God Bless you is my prayer!
Tamara Maxwell
July 28, 2008
God bless the entire family, but especially the family of this brave man. He was truly on God's battlefield. The prayers of the righteous availeth much & my prayers are with your congregation.
V. Jones
July 28, 2008
Remember
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
By Christina Rossetti
The Poetry Foundation
DEMETRIUS JONES
July 28, 2008
AS YOUR FAITH IS STRENGTHED YOU WILL FIND THAT THERE IS NO LONGER THE NEED TO HAVE A SENSE OF CONTROL,THAT THINGS WILL FLOW AS THEY WILL,AND THAT YOU WILL FLOW WITH THEM, TO YOUR GREAT DELIGHT AND BENIFIT. -EMMANUEL
Lorraine Wandick
July 28, 2008
My heart and prayers goes out to the family and , friends 0f this holy warrior. We never know what postion God has planned for us,and sometimes it my be to sacified a love one, which is in the human spirit it very hard. But Know that God is their with you and he know what your
going through, He have been where you are, when He sacified his son Jesus life for us. But hold on and , know God loves you
Marcia Keil
July 28, 2008
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Margaret Kuhn
July 28, 2008
Dear family members and loved ones,
My deepest sympathy to all of you during this time of great sorrow and profound loss.
May God comfort you all throughout the days ahead.
Jack McCallister
July 28, 2008
Mr. McKendry made the ultimate sacrifice giving his life so that others would be spared. My sympathies for all of the victims and thier families. Keep your faith knowing that God put this man there to protect the rest of you.
The Barker Family
July 28, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this tragic time.
louise wisinski
July 28, 2008
May the faith you have in God sustain you in the next hours.
Mr.&Mrs. Paul Pratt
July 28, 2008
God Bless and Keep You All, and may you know the Peace of God's Love.
J D
July 28, 2008
I am so sorry to hear of this tragic event. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God Bless.
Julia Turner-Wheeler
July 28, 2008
May God heal your sorrowful hearts. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time
J Mikell
July 28, 2008
May the God of comfort and peace comfort you all during this time of sadness. May God keep you all in his memory forever. Psalms 83:18
Ty Elfe
July 28, 2008
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved friends.Dealing with sudden death is shocking and almost unbelievable. The scriptures remind us"...Time and unforseen occurence befall them all".When things like this happen many search for answers not understanding how this could happend.The scriptures comfort us" He will wipe out every tear from there eyes, and death will be no more,neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.The former things have passed away".Please contact me if you need a listening ear of comfort.
A sister in Christ from NJ
July 28, 2008
May the Lord, Our God comfort and strengthen you. Hold fast to the promise that once the rain has passed, a rainbow will take it's place.
Alice Long
July 28, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Laura Zumbrum
July 28, 2008
Thoughts and prayers to the injured and the people who had to witness this.
Susann Deloatch
July 28, 2008
If God be for US, who can be against us? Rest in peace.
Patti Baltimore
July 28, 2008
May the Lord surround the entire congregation with His Angels of Mercey, Strength and Healing during this difficult time.
Your sister and friend in Christ.
Thomas Widgeon
July 28, 2008
Jesus Loves Me!!
Ester Vargas Pipersky
July 28, 2008
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Mindy Derenberger
July 28, 2008
To all the families effected by this tragedy. We all morn with you. Please know that the angels of God where there protecting you and your children. May God wrap his loving arms around you, and carry you through this time of Great sorrow. Love and Prayers. Psalm 91.
July 28, 2008
Heaven Help Us All. God Bless This Church Group And May The Victims Rest In Peace.
Rev. Helen Harris
July 28, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire church family at this tragic time of sorrow. Keep the faith, God has not forgotten you, just look up to the hills from whence cometh your help, your hep cometh from God!(psalm 121)
Catherine
July 27, 2008
May God Bless and Protect All that have been touched by this tragedy.
My condolences to the victims families.
Showing 1 - 83 of 83 results
Make a Donation
in Tennessee Church Shooting Victims's name
How to support Tennessee Church Shooting's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Tennessee Church Shooting Victims's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read moreMore ways to support the family
Visit the Sympathy Shop
Sponsored