Credit: Gaither Music

Three members of The Nelons killed in plane crash

Sat 27 July 2024 16:39, UK

Three members of the southern gospel group, The Nelons, were among seven people killed in a plane crash in Wyoming, the surviving member of the celebrated dynasty has confirmed.

According to band member Autumn Nelon Streetman, the group’s co-founder Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark and their daughter, Amber Nelon Kistler, were among those who died in the crash on the afternoon of July 26th. She has lost her mother, older sister and stepfather.

In a horrendous tragedy, also killed were Amber’s husband, Nathan Kistler, their assistant, Melodi Hodges, as well as pilot Larry Haynie and his wife, Melissa. There were no survivors from the heartbreaking event.

“Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark,” Nelon Streetman explained in her statement. “We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days.”

A statement by Campbell County spokesperson Leslie Perkins confirmed that the crash happened around 1pm in Wyoming’s Campbell County, approximately 250 miles north of the state capital, Cheyenne.

The legendary gospel family were on their way to link up with the Gaither Homecoming Cruise when the plane crashed, the cruise’s sponsor, Gaither Music Group, said. Nelon Streetman and her husband Jason were not on the plane and only learned of the tragedy when they got to Seattle. When they learned of what occurred, they were taken to a hotel, where fellow famed gospel singers Bill and Gloria Gaither had gathered artists set to play on the cruise to pray, mourn and sing for their lost friends.

“Autumn and Jamie will return home for now to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead. Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers,” Gaither Music Group stated in response to the tragedy.

In their time, The Nelons rose to the top of the Southern gospel genre alongside The Gaither Vocal Band. Nominated for many awards, including Grammys and Doves, they are credited with keeping the genre’s flame alive in a changing world.

A true dynasty, the band was formed in 1977 by Rex Nelon, the father of the late Kelly. Starting out as The Rex Nelon Singers, they were a spin-off of another successful family group, The LeFevres. Eventually, they became The Nelons due to all of The LeFevre family departing the group. They would later secure their first number one on the Singing News Chart with 1987’s ‘Come Morning’ and would see many different members enter the fold.

For their efforts, in 2016, The Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame.