WIDENER, AR --- A funeral service was held on Thursday, February 26, 2009 for three children killed in a Madison, AR house fire.
The Riverside Missionary Baptist Church in Widener, AR was packed beyond capacity. Hundreds of family, friends, school leaders, and classmates came to say their final goodbyes to 13 year-old Kali, 10 year-old Kerria, and four year-old Michael Williams.
The siblings were killed after getting trapped inside their home during a fire on Friday, February 20, 2009. Their mother, 37 year-old Toinette Mills and their 9 month old sister Mariaha escaped the fire.
Eyewitness News was invited by the family to attend the funeral. It was a very emotional service. In his eulogy, Pastor Marland Brown told the family it was okay to cry. He said, I won't tell you family don't cry. Cry, cry it's alright. You cry because you loved them." Brown added, "Cry if you got to cry but just remember they are in a place of joy a place of peace."
Fire investigators believe the fire started in a stove in the kitchen of the home. That oven was sent off for testing to determine if it was on and properly working. Fire investigators are not sure if the oven was being used for cooking or to heat the home when the fire started. The Madison Police chief says the home had a smoke detector but it did not have batteries.
A fund has been set up at the First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas. The bank is located at 101 Washington Avenue, Forrest City, AR 72335. Make donations to the "Toinette Mills Family Memorial Fund."
