Actions

Mother mourns after losing 2-year-old son, boyfriend, brother in Waverly tornado

Posted at 1:17 AM, Feb 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-26 09:17:35-05

WAVERLY, Va. -- A Waverly mother is still in shock after she lost her brother, boyfriend, and two-year-old son Wednesday, when an EF-1 tornado wiped out her Waverly trailer.

Trenicka Stringfield said she was inside her trailer with her son Ian, her brother Devine, and her boyfriend Larry, when the wind started blowing and the lights started to flicker.

She said she thought it was just another rainy day at first.

Stringfield said there was no notice.

“It started blowing again and it didn’t stop,” said Stringfield.

She said household items started smacking her in the face, the terror felt like it only lasted 10 seconds.

“I closed my eyes and just started praying. I called on the name of Jesus,” she said.

She said she woke up 300 yards away behind a church.

"I called out, but he didn't answer," Stringfield said of her son.

Her Two-year-old Ian Lewis, boyfriend Larry D. Turner, 50, and brother Devine J. Stringfield, 26, were killed.

“I love Larry and I hope everything work out for him. I love my son and Dee (Devine) as well,” she added.

Stringfield said she wish her family could go back in time and take shelter before the storm hit.

Now all she has is memories of her loved ones. She remembers her son playfully running through the hallways right before the storm hit.

2-YEAR-OLD IAN

“He loved his mom and he was a decision maker,” Stringfield said of her little boy. “He was a man amongst men in a young man’s body. He liked to work on things so I’m pretty sure he would have had a lot of trades or gifts as a grown man. That’s my baby.”

Stringfield’s other two children were at school at the time of the tornado. She said moving forward she has to be strong for them.

After this sudden and devastating loss, Stringfield has set up a GoFundMe page to help with expenses while she buries her son Ian. Her post read in part:

I am raising funds to assist with providing my son a homegoing celebration of his life as well I need assistance with re-establishing my home, as  we lost everything during the tornado.  Any donation will be greatly appreciated and I want to Thank each of you for your generous donation and your continued prayers for my family.

CBS6-News-at-4pm-and-Jennifer-Hudson-480x360.jpg

Entertainment

Watch 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' weekdays at 3 p.m. on CBS 6!

📱 Download CBS 6 News App
The app features breaking news alerts, live video, weather radar, traffic incidents, closings and delays and more.