Tragedy struck the American gospel music community as a husband, wife, and their daughter, who performed together in the renowned group The Nelons, were killed in a devastating plane crash along with four other individuals.
Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler, lost their lives on Friday when their aircraft went down over Wyoming while en route to a performance. The heartbreaking news was confirmed by Autumn Nelon Streetman, another member of the Grammy Award-nominated group, who was not on board the ill-fated plane.
The family’s assistant Melodi Hodges, pilot Larry Haynie, his wife Melissa Haynie, and Amber’s husband Nathan Kistler were also among the victims of the tragic accident, according to Gaither Management, the group’s management team.
The passengers were on their way to Seattle to join a cruise ship where The Nelons were scheduled to perform. The crash, which occurred north of the town of Gillette, triggered a wildfire in the area, as reported by local media.
Preliminary reports from the National Transportation Safety Board suggest that the aircraft crashed due to an “auto-pilot issue.” Autumn, who was awaiting the arrival of her family in Seattle, expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of prayers and support from fans and well-wishers.
The Nelons, founded by Rex Nelon in the 1970s, have been a prominent figure in the gospel music scene, earning three Grammy nominations and being inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016. Their popular hits include “I Shall Not Be Moved,” “Come Morning,” and “We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown.”
Kelly Nelon Clark, in addition to her musical talents, was also known for her acting roles, including a part in the ABC fantasy drama Resurrection. The tragic loss of the talented family has left a void in the hearts of their fans and the music industry as a whole.
