An elderly couple in South Carolina died last week when a tree fell on their home as Hurricane Helen hit the southeast.
Marcia, 74, and Jerry Savage, 78, were found hugging each other in bed after a tree crashed into their bedroom at their Beech Island home. Her grandson, John Savage, told The Associated Press that he checked on his grandparents just before the tragedy occurred while Helen was running wild outside.
“I remember hearing a click and going back there to check on my grandparents,” the 22-year-old said of his grandparents, who were lying in bed. “They were both fine, and the dog was fine.”
But shortly after that, Savage and his father heard a thud as one of the largest trees on the property fell on top of their grandparents' bedroom, crushing the tree.
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This photo provided to The Associated Press by Laurel Lindsay shows Marcia Savage and Jerry Savage, who died after their bedroom was crushed by a tree that fell on their home during Hurricane Helen. (Laurel Lindsay/Beech Island Second Baptist Church, South Carolina)
“All I could see was the ceiling and the trees,” he said. “At that time, I was just in a state of panic.”
John Savage told The Associated Press that his grandparents were found cuddling in bed, and the family believes it was God's plan to have them together rather than have one suffer without the other. He added that
“When they pulled the tree out of there, my grandfather apparently heard the sound of the tree breaking beforehand and rolled over to protect my grandmother,” he said.
According to reports, Marcia and Jerry Savage are two of more than 200 deaths reported in six states since Helen made landfall last week: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. fox weather.
Hurricane Helen survivors say water rose 4 feet. Within minutes, “we're all just thankful to be alive.”
Two trees rest on top of a car on Trenholm Road near its intersection with Churchill Circle on Friday, September 27, 2024, after Hurricane Helen hits Forest Acres, South Carolina. (Joshua Boucher/State/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
As well as the savages, dozens of people were killed by trees falling on homes and cars. Some people died in flash floods that destroyed homes, businesses and highway infrastructure across southeastern Appalachia.
Several people remain missing or unaccounted for, although the exact number has not yet been announced.
Jerry Savage was a handyman who worked primarily as an electrician and carpenter. John Savage told the Associated Press that he “kept retiring because he was bored.” “He'll get his spirit back and go out and get back to work.”
His daughter, Tammy Estep, 54, said her father was a “doer” and the hardest worker she knew.
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Marine One carrying U.S. President Joe Biden flies over storm-affected areas near Lake Lure, North Carolina, on October 2, 2024. (Mandel Gann/AFP via Getty Images)
Marcia Savage is a former banker. Katherine Savage, 27, said her grandmother was active in their church and liked to be there as often as possible. Family members remember Marcia's beautiful voice and said she always sang gospel music. Estep told the AP that her mother loved to cook for her family, and her recipe for Thanksgiving turkey and banana pudding was a hit.
Friends and acquaintances of the Savages shared their condolences on social media, remembering a generous, kind and humble couple.
John and Catherine told The Associated Press that they lived in a mobile home behind their grandparents' home for most of their childhood. John and his father have been staying with his grandparents for the past few years. He told The Associated Press that previous storms had knocked down some trees higher up in his yard, but “we've never had anything like that happen before.”
For decades, Marcia and John Savage welcomed families into their home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, while their large garden hosted several Easter egg hunts over the years.
The couple is survived by a son, Mark Savage, and a daughter, Tammy Estep (Darrell), as well as four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, according to a GoFundMe set up to raise money for funeral costs.
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Katherine Savage said her grandmother was close to her three sons.
“I haven't told my sons yet because I don't know what to do,” she said.
John Savage said his grandparents were teenage sweethearts and had been married for more than 50 years. He called their love “both immediate and eternal.”
“They loved each other until the day they died,” John Savage said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
