Bless your hearts .... / Christy Merritt (no relation ) I do not know you or any of your family, but I have watched the entire trial on Court TV's website. I feel your pain, Ms. Karen. Your pain, your daughter's pain, your husband's is just overwhelming. No words will ever comfort you, but I must say that you have endured and are enduring pain that I hope and pray I never have to endure while on this earth. To lose a child seems absolutely overwhelming. I want you to know that I do pray for you...and although the trial may not have come out as you deemed necessary, I believe these men will suffer in their minds and emotions every day that they live for what their stupid actions have caused. I believe Brad Mullins feels your pain and is sorry for what he has caused. That doesn't ease your pain in any manner...how could it...you've lost a child. Your heart toward GOD is the only thing that will sustain you and I want you to know that I am proud of your faith in GOD and HIS peace is very present in your demeanor. If only we all could handle life in your way...thru Christ. To myself and all parents who have NOT lost a child to death....no matter what is going on in our lives, as long as a wreath in not on our door...especially for one of our children....we can handle all other issues of life with ease and thanksgiving and we should all PRAISE THE FATHER IN HEAVEN for ALL THINGS because ALL things work to the good for those who love the LORD! GOD bless you and your family for the hole in your heart.
Supporting the verdict / BRANDY LAPE (Stranger) Well, good luck family and friends of Cortney. The next step is the appeal process. A lesser charge, but justice none the less for you all. I hope the healing process is under way. I am all too familiar with your pain. I will be following my own speeding trial next. I hope the verdict ends with the same justice for my friend Amberle. Best wishes for healing and may peace slowly find it's way into your hearts---
Brandy Lape Florida
Our love for Cortney / Pam Reising (mother of Justin/Garret ) Karen,Terry and Brittney,
Justin, Garret and I send you love and hugs today. When I told Justin he asked if they were in jail and I had to say no. He took it hard, not understanding the legal system. I know that Garret will take the news bad. His love for Cortney is still in his heart. I pray to have the strength that you, Karen have shown. Cortney will always be our queen and I cannot wait until I see her Heaven to hear her laugh and see her big brown eyes and to hug her again.
Pam, Justin and Garret
Condolence/ Mari Grandprey (None) I heard about your story on CNN and I read your website. My Heart aches for your family I am so sorry that you lost a beautiful daughter who looked so full of life and her life was robbed from her and your family and friends because of a foolish act that could have been prevented. I hope her story gets our there a teaching the children the dangers of street racing. May god help you and your family heal from this. My prayers and condolences are with you and your family. May she rest in peace.
Overwhelmed./ Lyndsay (Cousin) Corty. Wow. It's been a while since I have written on here, but it doesn't mean that you haven't been on my mind. I think about you every single waking moment...honestly. This week has been so tough, the tooughest thing I have EVER had to experience. Losing you was hard enough...now this. Today may be the day that GODWILLING, BRADLEY DERRICK MULLINS AND DAVID A. PHILLIPS GO TO JAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really hope that they do, but no matter the outcome, its not going to bring you back to us. But, you are with JESUS, the only person we should be living for, and we wouldn't take that back for NOTHING. As we always say, "YOU BEAT US THERE, YOU LUCKY THING YOU!" I love you more than you'll ever know...I can't wait to see you when I get to HEAVEN!
<3
My condolences to the family / Jordan Williams (None) I send my condolences to the family and I hope that this trial ends in your favor, I didn't know Cortney but I've heard great things about her. I too have lost a young loved one to someone else's wreckless behavior and I pray that the Lord be with you.
Following the trial from Florida / BRANDY LAPE (STRANGER) Family and Friends of Cortney. I want to extend my deepest sympathy and let you know that I am praying for justice for Cortney. I lost a friend 6 months ago to an auto accident where the driver was doing 73 mph in a 35 mph zone. She died instantly when the car struck a tree. She was a beautiful person like your Cortney. I have been touch by Cortney's story and the need for justice. We have yet to get a trial date, we are still awaiting dispo. He has pleaded not guilty. I will be following the trial on Court Tv. com. Please take comfort in the fact that Cortney feels no pain and NEVER has to endure any hurt again. I have come to realize that words become "cliche" and there just aren't any to take away pain or fill that void your loss has caused. It's like learning to live life again without a piece of you. Memories, pictures, and emptiness have taken the place of Cortney. May the thought of her happy times here on Earth begin to bring peace and healing. Justice for her will certainly help the cause. Good luck during trial and God bless everyone touched by this tragedy.
There is already a day on God's calendar when we will all be judged! / Mom ACTS 17:31 For God has set a day to judge the world with justice by Jesus. God appointed Jesus, and God proved to everyone who this is by raising Him from the dead.
You are in my thoughts! / Cindy (McIntosh) Lewis (Old friend of Terry & Karen )
Dear Terry, Karen & Family,
Today when I saw you all on the news I was reminded that this will never end for you all. No family should have to endure what yours has in the past few years. But something that will never end is your love for Cortney and the memories you hold in your hearts. May God bless your family today and always.
CORTNEY WAS HERE FOR A REASON / MOM I. LOVE YOU &. MISS YOU SO MUCH! (MOM)
If the only reason Cortney Raquel Hensley even existed for 17 years, 10 months & 12 days was to remind us daily to "NEVER IGNORE" what happen so quickly to her.
Because.......It could happen to any of us!!!!!!
In a blink of an eye we will each begin our own eternal life!
Where will you spend yours?
You are NO SAFER from a tragic death than Cortney was. Be prepared to met Jesus face to face. Please except his amazing grace now!
Love in Christ,
Karen Hensley
Thinking of you always / Dessa Smith (connected by angels ) Cortney, when I listen to this song I close my eyes and imagine when I get to heaven I will see Jesus and he is surrounded by all our angels with all of your arms stretch out to give me a hug. What a day that will be. Hugs and prayers to you and your precious family. Joseph's mom
Father's Day / Rosemary Sis Of Alvin Cremeans
Wishing Cortney's father a peaceful Father's Day. love and prayers, Rosemary sis of Alvin Cremeans xoxo
There is a already a day on God's Calendar when we will all be judged! / Mom For He has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man (Jesus) He (God) has appointed, and He (God) proved to everyone who this is by raising Him (Jesus) from the dead. ACTS 17:31
Prayers/ Robin Pickens (None) I was reading the article on the Court TV website. My heart and prayers go to all who are hurting and suffering for this tragedy. May those responsible pay the price that is due.
I will keep the Hensley family in my prayers.
One time at Lamar... / Becky Bennett I remember one time when Kristy and Cortney were playing against each other in the old gym and Cortney got her 5th foul. Dad told either the ref or Karen, "That's 5 on Cortney." Cortney heard him and turned around with her hands on her hips and said "I don't give a big crap!" I'll never forget the look on her face or the way she said it. My family has used Cortney's "big crap" line for years now. I've never seen my Dad as heartbroken as he was when we got the news about Cortney. The Lamar basketball days are some of the best memories I have of growing up. You could not have found a better group of people. We miss you Cortney.
I know you're living it up in beautiful Heaven, Cortney! I think about you often - and just know you're having an amazing time walking the golden roads of Heaven. :) All who knew you miss you here on Earth, but I know you wouldn't come back if you had the chance. It's awesome to know that this Earth is only our temporary home - and for those who accept Jesus Christ, Heaven will be our forever home! I know your Momma, Daddy, your sister...your whole family who loved you dearly, and all of your friends, miss you soooo much. Shine down on them and let them know that even though you aren't here on Earth, you're definitely with us at all moments throughout the day. And you know what? I'm pretty sure as an angel in Heaven you help in some way to make the sun shine, give the flowers their beautiful colors, the clouds flow in the sky. And that makes me smile. :) I love you Cortney - keep shining down on us all.
I am so glad that Jesus Christ gave his Life so that we may have an amazing eternal life with Him in Heaven. That means that when our time has come, we will meet with Cortney again in Heaven..and what a beautiful moment that will be! I was forever changed after Cortney's passing on Earth, and decided to dedicate my life to Christ and accept him as my personal savior. I know that I'm going to Heaven - and I know I'll see Cortney again, and all of the others I have lost. Cortney was an amazing Child of God on Earth, and she definitely shined. I ask that if you're reading this and aren't saved, please, please ask Jesus Christ into your heart. If you need to talk about it, or would like to know how to, I would be happy to talk to you..just e-mail me at millerhn@earthlink.net
I witnessed 16 children get saved 2 nights ago and several others re-dedicate their lives to Christ at a youth outreach event that my friend Andy and his church, Harmony Baptist, organized. It's so wonderful to know that these youth now know Christ! I think about Cortney a lot when I work with youth in ministry because she was such an awesome example of a Christian girl. :)
Love in Christ, Holly
HEY CORTNEY RAQUEL / Aunt Angie Jacob went to his 8th grade prom last Friday. He took his first girlfriend, her name is Chelsea. Her birthday was May 10th he bought her flowers, he put a piece of the peace lilly I got from the night we shared your life with all your friends. It is the most beautiful plant I've ever had. He told her a piece of you was in it, she said she felt very blessed. He is such a man, he makes us laugh alot, like you! He holds me when I cry, he knows I cry when you are really on my mind. You keep those streets of gold polished for us, we are looking forward to seeing you there. My gosh, We miss you! Justice will be served Corty Raquel because vengence is Gods and in the end you won-you lucky doll, you beat us there!See you baby girl.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY / BETH DICKERSON (JIMMY'S MOM )
Strength and Prayers to you and your family / Chris (None) Mrs. Hensley
As a citizen of the Tri-Cities community, I like many others, were terribly shaken and heartbroken over the events that occurred in 2005. We had just celebrated the birth of our first son just a few months earlier and this tragedy made us even more determined to ensure that our son would get all the attention and love that he would ever need.
I met your daughter a few times in Jonesborough at Pansy's Pantry. She was always beaming with a smile and was always willing to take care of anyone that was in the restaurant. There was one particular time when I came into the store and my order was not ready. Cortney apologized (it wasn't anyones fault that they were busy) offered me a drink while I waited and stood at the cash register and spoke with me at length about various things, mainly school and plans after graduating. It struck me that she was perhaps the most genuine person that I had ever met. I went home and told my wife about it and we both decided that we would eat at the restaurant more often due to her. Shortly after that expierence, the tragedy occurred and we would never have the opportunity to speak with her again. The world lost someone special that day and I honestly and truly feel for each and every person that knew her a lot better than I, a passing stranger, ever would.
We too often tend to overlook these types of stories when we see them in the news. We dismiss them as a tragic event and then hardly ever pay mind to them again. It is an unfortunate aspect of being caught up in today's society and culture. However, Cortneys death made the world stand still in our area of the world. People who never met her were drawn to her story - not because she was a homecoming queen as the media tends to characterize her first and foremost - but because she touched so many people in her short time on earth. People saw this and were drawn to her story - not just the tragedy - but the entire canvas of her life. To this day, many, many people in the Tri-Cities know of her story and even know a bit about her life. They know she was a loving, caring and outstanding individual in every way. While no person who is taken away from their family should be overlooked or forgotten, it is a true testament of the power of Cortney's spirit that she is so treasured and regarded to this day.
I write this letter to you as the trial of the two men charged in this is slated to begin. I cannot tell you how disappointed I am at the legal system and certain elected officials in our area that have allowed the defense team to skirt the issues at hand and open new avenues for them to escape justice. This isn't about a night of bad judgement that ultimately ended in tragedy - it's about a pattern of behavior on both of their parts that was essentially a dangerous & deadly game of roulette, waiting for their first victim. Perhaps I might feel a bit more inclined to feel some sympathy for them if they had in the very least shown some sort of genuine remorse for their actions, something beyond emotions that are purely selfish in nature regarding their own fate and their own futures. Self-preservation, while another aspect of human nature, simply doesn't apply given the scope of what occurred. I pray that the justice system is up to the task of giving them a fair, yet thorough trial and that their sentences are enough to serve notice to everyone that there are consequences for our actions and that our actions need to be thought through, because their impact on others can be monumental in proportion.
We pray for you and your family to find some measure of peace as time passes by. We also pray that God grant the wisdom and judgement for everyone involved in the trial to weigh the evidence and make the proper decisions. While we may not know fully what you and your family have been going through, we stand in solidarity with you as parents and friends that care and love their children deeply.
We share a bond / Lucy Von Heiland (Mom of Elizabeth ) Dear family and friends of Cortney, We lost our 18 year old daughter on Good Friday 2007. It is not a bond that I would wish to share with anyone, nevertheless, I have kept you all in my daily prayers ever since Karen posted on Elizabeth's website. I would like to share with you great comforting thoughts which another parent who lost a son in Iraq shared with us. I paraphrase for Cortney.
As beautiful as Cortney was, she is more beautiful now. As exceptional as Cortney was, she is perfect now. Even her happiest moments here on earth, can not compare to the eternal bliss she now has. She has no more struggle, temptation, or pain. She is clean and pure, washed in the blood of the Lamb. If she were given the choice, she would not want to return to this earth. Surely, she understands to a much greater degree the love and appreciation we have for her life. Unbeknownst to us, in ways we can not imagine, God will work this for our good and also for the good of many. He will be our comfort and our strength and our hope. We will see her again. She will live in our hearts until we also die and our souls unite in the glorious presence of our Lord!
Please know that I cry with you and for you and keep you in my prayers.
Tributes and Condolences
I love you more than you'll ever know...I can't wait to see you when I get to HEAVEN!
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