ATLANTA — Three members of a beloved Atlanta family gospel group were killed in a plane crash in Wyoming on Friday, a statement posted to the fourth band member's Instagram said.
The statement on the Instagram of Autumn Nelon Streetman, attributed to Gaither Management Group, said her mother, Kelly Nelon Clark; father, Jason Clark; and sister, Amber Kistler -- the other three members who formed The Nelons -- died in the crash. Autumn and her husband, Jamie Streetman, were not on the flight.
Four others also were killed in the crash -- Amber's husband, Nathan Kistler, the Kistlers' assistant Melodi Hodges and the pilot and his wife, Larry and Melissa Haynie.
Larry Haynie was the chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections Board.
A separate statement on Autumn Nelon Streetman's Instagram, attributed to her, said:
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. 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. We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days.
The Nelons have been active for decades, founded originally by Rex Nelon, Kelly Nelon Clark's father. The band was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2016, and they were also once nominated for a Grammy for Best Southern Gospel Album for Let The Redeemed Say So in 1991.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement: "Marty, the girls and I are truly saddened to learn of the tragic death of Larry Haynie and his wife, Lisa, along with all those lost in this horrible plane accident. As chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections Board and through a career of valued service in public safety, Larry's impact on our state will not be forgotten. We will continue to hold his memory and that enduring commitment to his fellow Georgians in our hearts and memories. Our entire family is asking everyone to join us in praying for those who have been lost, for their loved ones and communities, and for those throughout the gospel music community who have lost dear friends in this heartbreaking accident."
The Campbell County, Wyoming government posted on its Facebook page that the private plane crash happened around 1 p.m. (Mountain Time) on Friday north of the city of Gillette. The post said local sheriff's deputies, fire crews and EMS all responded to the crash site. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
The Gaither statement said the seven people aboard the plane had been traveling to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise bound for Alaska.
"Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman were not on the plane and arrived safely into Seattle and were notified of the accident," the statement continued. "They were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief, pledging to support them in whatever needs arise."
It added: "Autumn and Jamie will return home for now to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead. Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers."