As Bucksnort and surrounding towns grieve the loss of sixteen lives, stories of the victims have emerged, painting a picture of a close community bound by faith, friendship, and shared loss. Vigils have been held throughout the region, where hundreds gathered to light candles and remember those who perished in the blast.
Among the victims was Reyna Gillahan, remembered by friends as a warm-hearted mother and loyal friend. Her longtime friend Jerri Newcombe described the loss as “surreal,” saying the two had known each other for over twenty years. “We celebrated birthdays together,” she said. “It’s just unreal that she’s gone.” Gillahan’s daughter called her passing an “unimaginable loss,” writing that her mother was “loving, strong, and always thinking of others before herself.”
Another victim, chemist Donald Yowell, lived in nearby Waverly with his wife and son. His church, WellSpring Christian, described him as a kind and devoted member of the congregation. Longtime corrections officer Mindy Clifton, who had recently joined AES after two decades in public service, was remembered by former colleagues as “one of the best” and “a professional who brought heart and humor to her work.”
Other victims included 26-year-old LaTeisha Mays, who had been employed at the factory for eight months and was described by her family as “the glue that held everyone together.” Production manager Rachel Woodall had just started her new role at AES weeks before the explosion, while veteran employee Jeremy Moore had celebrated 17 years at the company earlier this year. His mother, Ava Hinson, shared an emotional tribute online, writing, “Rest in peace my sweet baby boy.”
Trenton “Trent” Stewart, another victim, was both a production worker at AES and a volunteer firefighter in Waverly. He also served as a pastor at The Log Church, where he often preached about faith and perseverance. “My goal isn’t to be perfect,” he once wrote, “but to show love in whatever way possible.”
As investigators work to uncover the cause of the disaster, Hickman County residents continue to rally around the victims’ families with donations, memorials, and support groups. “This whole community is family,” said resident Tiffany Story, who attended a vigil. “Everyone here is connected — and everyone here is grieving together.”
The tragedy has left Bucksnort forever changed, its residents now bound by shared sorrow and resilience as they wait for answers about what caused one of the deadliest industrial accidents in Tennessee’s history.