Christ’s light shines through Waffle House shooting victim DeEbony Groves
(EEW Magazine News) Though her life was senselessly taken by Travis Reinking’s gunfire early Sunday morning, April 22, 2018, the light of Christ continues to shine through DeEbony Groves, one of four fatally wounded victims of the Waffle House shooting.
According to survivors, the 21-year-old Christian student, who attended Nashville’s Belmont University, was last heard singing “Jesus Loves Me,” before passing away—a testament to her strong faith.
“We went and visited with the survivors, and they talked about the people who were in that restaurant before what happened, happened, and specifically remembered your daughter and spoke of your daughter and her friend, and said that they were singing gospel songs,” Waffle House CEO, Walt Ehmer, told Shirl Baker, mother of the deceased.
DeEbony Groves was well-loved and known for her strong faith in God.
He disclosed these details during Groves’ funeral service where hundreds of people packed out First Baptist Church in Gallatin, Tennessee on Friday, April 27 to pay their last respects to the former choir member who reportedly loved to sing.
Ehmer told the audience that one of the survivors told him, “Everybody was singing and enjoying each other,” and the last thing she remembers is Groves “singing Jesus Loves Me.”
He continued, “I can’t offer you many words of encouragement or comfort. All I can tell you is, our Waffle House family is hurting for you and with you,” adding, “You will get through this, because, I know by watching, this is a very strong, faith-filled community.”
Shirl Baker reacts as her son DiAngelo Groves sings during the funeral of her daughter DeEbony Groves (Associated Press)
Groves and three others were killed when 29-year-old Reinking began firing outside the Waffle House with an AR-15 rifle before storming inside the restaurant. Others who lost their lives were: Akilah DaSilva, 23; Joe Perez, 20; and Taurean Sanderlin, a 29-year-old employee at the restaurant. And four others were injured.
There were lots of hugs, tears and praises sent up at the funeral of the young woman whose life was ended, but whose light will shine on forever.