OK Family Who Lost 5 Kids In Storm Receives 'Portraits Of Love'

An Oklahoma family, who lost five of their children in the May 31 storm, has received a special gift.

Tuesday, September 3rd 2013, 4:40 pm

By: News 9


An Oklahoma family, who lost five of their children in the May 31 storm, has received a special gift.

They have been trying to put their life back together ever since that tragic day, and now an artist is stepping in to help them with the healing process with what she calls her "portraits of love."

They have only talked to each other over the phone. But this is the first time Kathy Sanders and Betty Yeatman have had a chance to meet face to face.

6/3/2013 Related Story: Friday's Storms Kill 18; Names Of Some Victims Released

Yeatman and her family lost five family members in the raging flood waters that hit behind their house on May 31. They had gone to the lowest point they could for fear a tornado was coming.

Four of the bodies were recovered in the Oklahoma River, but baby Lexi was never found. And the pictures the family has of everyone who was lost are tattered and worn. That's why Yeatman's gifts are so special.

One by one, Yeatman opened the bags to reveal the precious paintings of her precious loved ones as Sanders looked on.

"All of my babies," said Yeatman. "Oh I love them! Thank you!"

"I do the paintings and it brings some comfort," said Sanders. " But I want to share with them, and I want to give them hope!"

And for Yeatman it does.

There's now a portrait of Baby Lexi, Tara, Desi, Timothy, and little Cory, who everyone called Junior.

"Oh its heartwarming," said Yeatman. "The pictures we did have of them really didn't go out much, because we didn't really have many. But I love these!"

Sanders knows what it's like to lose a child. She lost her two grandsons in the OKC bombing

"God didn't take my grandchildren, he received them when he came," said Sanders. " That brings me peace, and that's the peace I want to offer other families."

Yeatman says the family already has plans to display these precious pieces of art when they find a new home.

"So they're going to have their own little area on the wall as soon as we get moved," said Yeatman, with tears in her eyes, and a smile on her face.

"I was just happy I could be a part of it," said Sanders, as she hugged Yeatman one last time.

Sanders also gave portraits to the parents of the seven Plaza Tower students who died during the May 20th tornado.

The family is still trying to find a new place to live and get their cars repaired.

A fund has been established at First United Bank on South Agnew in care of the Shrum Family.

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