Memorial, fund planned for drowning victim - WSMV Channel 4
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Family members and friends say it is a near impossible situation. They want to bring the body of a young drowning victim back home to Mississippi for burial.
But Travoris Nawls didn't have insurance, so his former co-workers at one of the world's biggest employers are wanting to come to the rescue.
Nawls drowned Tuesday while swimming with a group of friends at Percy Priest Lake near Long Hunter State Park. The pain of his death is bad enough, but the 20-year-old was without insurance, and his family is now struggling to bring him home.
Now, fellow Walmart employees, like Tessa Stoneroad, are wanting to help out.
"He was a great guy to work with - always smiling, always positive. If you were down, he would give you a hug," Stoneroad said.
Nawls had been working for nearly a year in the freight department at the Walmart store on Hamilton Church Road. Co-workers there said Nawls was a joy to be around.
They're hoping a bank account set up in his name will encourage people to donate the thousands of dollars his family needs, and a candlelight memorial is planned for Saturday night to remember the father of two and friends who left too soon.
The young man's sister said she is overjoyed about the support.
"That means so much to me. Words can't explain how much it means to me to know how much support I have and to know somebody has my back," Alicia Nawls said.
The memorial is set for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at the Long Hunter State Park Recreation Center.
The Nawls family is working with a bank to set up the account, and we will let you know more when the paperwork has been completed.
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