Son Discovers Mother Deceased After Devastating St. Louis Tornado : “Our House Is Gone and My Mom Is Gone”

It was one week ago today when Reginald Holmes discovered his mother, Delois Holmes, on the basement steps after a devastating tornado destroyed their home in St. Louis, MO. The family is grieving an unimaginable loss and asking for community support as they work toward rebuilding and planning a memorial service to honor Deloris.

Son discovered his mother Deloris Holmes after St. Louis tornado

70-year-old Delois Holmes was at the family house on Cote Brilliante Avenue when the roof was torn off the three-story building. The family lived in the home for more than 40 years.

“I was just rushing through the storm,” her son Reginald Holmes told KDSK Channel 5. “I was calling her name, flipping things over and stuff, trying to get a response … no response. The second floor, third floor, back kitchen — everything gone.”

Suddenly near all the fallen debris, an unimaginable heartbreak.

“I just happened to look on the way to the basement corridor and she was like dead, and it looked like she was trying to make it to the basement,” Reginald said. “Just a loss for words, bro.”

GoFundMe created by family

Deloris was a beloved mother of five boys, a grandmother of nine, a great-grandmother and neighbor who loved to work in her yard.

The loss has been devastating to her family, especially her son who now has to pick up the pieces and move forward the best way he can.

Reginald has opened a GoFundMe to support the family. The family plans to use the money for the clean-up of the home, hoping to tear it down and build something in Delois Holmes’ honor, but also to help the community that she loved so much.

You can donate and visit the GoFundMe here.