Those In Picher Mourn The Loss Of Friends

People in Picher are coping with more than just losing their homes and their way of life. The massive tornado claimed six lives.  One of them was Mistie Kelley.  News On 6 anchor Latoya Silmon reports losing Mistie is one of the hardest things for her best friend.

Even though she's in mourning, Teresa Langston is determined to be strong.  She says that's what Mistie would have wanted.

Teresa Langston grew up in Picher, a town decimated by a tornado.  The aftermath is hard to bear, but she'll miss Mistie the most.

"She was one of my very best friends. We were very close," said Teresa Langston.

Teresa says once the storm hit all she could think about was getting to her friend.

"I ran.  My husband parked our car and I ran. I just ran looking for her and Brandon and her husband, Jack," said Teresa Langston.

Mistie Kelley's husband and four-year-old son were rushed to a hospital, but it was too late for Mistie.

"It's almost hard to believe she's gone yet. It's so surreal," said Teresa Langston.

And for now, Teresa is holding on to memories and finding comfort by remembering all that was good in Mistie.

"She was very genuine, very loving, very kind.  She was the kind of person that always saw the good in everything and everyone," said Teresa Langston.

While there is some comfort in memories, Teresa still finds herself having to push through the pain.

"It's best for me just to keep busy.  You know, just to keep going. I know that she would want all of us to do that. I know she would," said Teresa Langston.