The Nelons lived, breathed and sang their faith.
Kelly Nelon Clark, husband Jason Clark and her daughters Amber Nelon Kistler and Autumn Nelon Streetman had been recording together for a decade, the latest incarnation of the family-rooted gospel group started in the 1970s by Kelly’s father Rex Nelon.
They’d been on a tear at the Absolutely Gospel Awards since Kelly—who started performing with her dad as a child—was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. Jason was named Producer of the Year in 2021, and in 2022 Autumn was named Female Vocalist of the Year, an award won by her sister in 2014.
She’s now the only surviving member of the Georgia-based quartet following a plane crash July 26 that killed Kelly, 64, Jason, Amber, 35, and her husband Nathan Kistler, 34, the band’s assistant Melodi Hodges, pilot Larry Haynie and his wife, Melissa Haynie.
“Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark,” Autumn, who’s expecting her first child, said in a statement the next day. “We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days.”