By A poignant final photo of America’s beloved gospel group, The Nelons, has emerged, capturing their last moments before a tragic plane crash that claimed their lives. The image, shared on Amber Nelon Kistler’s Instagram account, shows the family inside the aircraft as they embarked on their fateful journey to Alaska.
In the heartbreaking photo, family patriarch Jason Clark can be seen glancing out the window, while his wife, Kelly Nelon Clark, gazes at the camera. This snapshot, along with Amber’s final social media post featuring only a geotag of West Georgia Regional Airport and a sticker of a flying plane, serves as a haunting reminder of their final trip.
The Grammy-nominated family was en route from Nebraska to Alaska on Friday, planning to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise. Tragically, their plane crashed in Wyoming, sparking a massive wildfire and leaving no survivors, according to local authorities.
Accompanying The Nelons on this ill-fated journey were Amber’s husband Nathan Kistler, the family’s assistant Melodi Hodges, the pilot Larry Haynie, and his wife Melissa. All perished in the crash that has left the gospel music community in shock.
In a video taken prior to boarding the doomed plane, Jason can be seen addressing the group on the runway. The aircraft, believed to be owned by Larry Haynie, is visible in the background as it refuels for the journey. Another photograph, captioned “Gaither Alaskan Cruise Travel Vlog,” shows Amber, Jason, and Kelly Nelon Clark posing together, their smiles a stark contrast to the tragedy that would soon unfold.
The Nelons’ fourth member, Autumn Nelon Streetman, had declined to accompany her family due to her pregnancy. In a statement following the tragic news, she expressed her deep sorrow and asked for prayers for her family, including her unborn son.
“As many of you have heard by now, my father and mother, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister, Amber, and brother-in-law, Nathan, as well as our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry, and Melissa Haynie, were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday,” Autumn said. “We appreciate your continued prayers, love, and support as we navigate the coming days.”
The plane, identified as a Pilatus PC-12/47E owned by Haynie Enterprises, crashed under circumstances that are yet to be determined. The National Transportation Safety Board has announced it will open an investigation into the incident.
As fans and the music industry grapple with this devastating loss, the final photo of The Nelons serves as a poignant reminder of their legacy. Inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016, the family’s impact on gospel music and their ministry touched countless lives.
This tragedy has left an indelible void in the gospel music world, with the last glimpse of The Nelons capturing a moment of normalcy before an unthinkable disaster. As investigations continue and tributes pour in, the music community mourns the loss of these beloved artists, their final image a testament to their enduring spirit and the fragility of life.
