SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas (KETK) – The Sulphur Springs community is coming together to support the families of two women killed Friday night.
Keesha Gibbs and Sandy Reed, sisters, were driving back to Sulphur Springs after the Friday night football game in Forney when they were killed in a head-on car crash.
A visitation for the sisters will be held at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center on Thursday, October 10 from 12-2 p.m. with the funeral following.
“Everyone is really struggling with grasping the idea of such a big loss. Their family has experienced such traumatic loss, not only this week but four years ago,” said Victoria Smith, Reed’s close friend.
In 2015, Reed’s 12-year-old son, Micah, succumbed to his fight against Leukemia.
“It’s just a family that’s experienced so much loss through the years,” said Smith.
The crash occurred on Hwy 19 between Canton and Grand Saline.
Two children in the car – Gibb’s daughter Kaycee and Reed’s son Jacob – were severely injured and care flighted to Children’s Medical center in Dallas.
A friend of Gibb’s said Jacob is walking and doing well except for being very sore.
The family continues asking for prayers for Kaycee, whose lungs try to fill with fluid. The doctors continue to search for answers so they can get her up and moving.
Gibb’s older son, Kholson, plays on the Sulpur Springs football team. He was on the bus ahead of Gibb’s and Reed’s vehicle when the crash happened.
Now friends of the two women have sprung into action to take care of the families as best they can.
Vickie Pickel has established a GoFundMe account which has already raised more than $13,000. The money will go to the families and to the children’s medical bills.
“We are just all here for the family, I’ve known them all my life, they’ve been here in this town,” said Pickel. “Everybody knows them, they’re just a very giving, sweet, sweet family.”
The Sweet Grind soda, coffee and candy shop will donate a portion of proceeds next week to the families’ support fund.
Friends of the families are putting together a larger benefit scheduled for November 2, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Shannon Oaks Church.
School districts also are showing their support.
Monday, Sulphur Springs ISD, Winssboro ISD, Sulphur Bluff School, Yantis ISD, Mt. Pleasant ISD, and Barbara Bush Primary School wore blue and gold in a show of support for the family.
Winnsboro and Yantis also are allowing students to wear hats during the upcoming week for a donation of $1, which will go to the families’ fund.
Donations also will be taken in school offices.
“They taught us so much about what it means to love others and to give, even in their hardest moments, they just continued to do that for everyone,” said Smith.
To see any and all fundraiser opportunities benefiting the family, visit the Reed/Cavanaugh Benefit page on Facebook.
You can visit the GoFundMe page to give monetary donations.
