Last respects paid to fire victims

YOUNGSTOWN — Child-crafted paper hearts, letters and drawings served as a backdrop for six gleaming white caskets.

A few of the hearts and letters, penned by little boys and girls, contained misspellings but the sentiment was sincere.

“I am so sorry because you died in the fire. I’m so sad that you are in hevin,” Tarina.

“I wish you was still here at North Elementary and we are sorry you dide in the fire,” Limar.

To Jeannine from Bryant: “I’m sorry that your house got on fire and you got killed and I hope that you is in heaven. Sweet dreams.”

A relentless cold rain fell Friday as hundreds entered L. E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home on McGuffey Road to pay their last respects for Carol Crawford, 46, her daughter Jennifer R. Crawford, 23, and Jennifer’s four children, Ranaisha, 8, Jeannine, 5, Aleisha, 3, and Brandon, 2.

For more, see Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com