By Kyle Roberts
The emotion will never go away for the family of Kendra and Remington Butler following their tragic deaths in the 2019 EF-3 tornado that ripped through the city of Ruston.
And while nothing will restore the terrible loss, the pair has been memorialized with a plaque beneath the smokestack on Monroe Street, honoring the two of them along with the workers and volunteers who banded together to form what has become “Ruston Strong” over the last five years.
In a 15-minute ceremony Thursday, Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker honored the Butler family in attendance which included Kendra’s son Cam, her mother Cathy, grandmother Ella and sister Monique.
“We realize there are still people who are hurting,” Walker said of the Butler family. “We are aware of that and we want to do something very special.”
Walker announced that the area beneath the smokestack will now be known as the Ruston Strong Plaza to commemorate the lives lost and as a thank you to the volunteers and first responders who assisted during the recovery.
“It’s just the beginning,” Walker said. “We’ll be adding more to it. I encourage people walking on the greenway to stop and have a time of reflection.”
Following the tribute, the Butler’s were able to see the plaque for the first time in an emotional moment for the family members in attendance.
“Five years; it seems so unreal,” Monique, Kesha’s sister, said. “It still seems like it just happened yesterday. The city has really shown us a tremendous amount of love and support throughout the years. Today is important because we’re a close family, and we rally around each other and give the love and support that we need. It’s not easy; it’s a struggle for us everyday losing them. We try to remain positive and keep pushing and praying.
“(The memorial) is very touching and it’s very dear to all of us.”
The plaque in full reads:
“Ruston Strong Memorial: This location is dedicated to the memory of Kendra Butler, and her son Remington, who tragically lost their lives in the tornado on April 25, 2019. Additionally, this plaque honors the resilience and unity of our city and all those affected by the catastrophic disaster.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all the volunteers and City workers who selflessly dedicated their time and effort to aid in the cleanup and rebuilding of our wonderful city. Your compassion and strength continue to inspire us all.”
