The body of Constance Reed, 34, was recovered hours later and, although unconfirmed by authorities, the family believes Lily, 9, and Chloe, 12, died near their mother.
“With profound sadness that is now a part of my soul I am sorry to share the passing of Constance, Chloe and Lily,” Grant Reed, who left Thursday to search for his family members, wrote around 2 p.m. on Facebook. “Please continue to pray for my son Michael and his son Nicholas.”
Michael Reed last spoke with Constance Reed before the fire consumed their home Monday, north of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
“She called me about 8:15 p.m. and said there were flames across the street from our house and she didn’t know what to do,” he said during a Nov. 29 interview with a local news station. “I told her to call 9-1-1, and that was the last time I talked to her.”
He and Nicholas were traveling home, but were stuck in traffic. After an hour of driving through fallen trees and brush fire they reached their home. It was “completely engulfed,” he said.
The Sevier County Sheriff’s Department told the family it was apparent they were fleeing the wildfires on foot. It was not immediately clear where the bodies were found proximate to the Reed residence. The department did not publicly identify the remains, although family and its church made a series of confirmations to local media.
“Our hearts are broken to receive this news,” said Pastor Phillip C. Morris Jr of the Parkway Church of God. “We ask for everyone to continue in prayer for this family.
“We appreciate the outpouring of love from around the nation and specifically here in Sevier County,” the pastor said. “Your strong support means so much, and this family is going to really need your support even more in the days and weeks to come.”
Grant Reed’s afternoon Facebook post about his grandchildren and daughter-in-law was shared 3,000 times within four hours Saturday, with more than 2,000 comments of support for the family.
Many have reached out to help and make a donation to the family’s GoFundMe account established Dec. 1. On Friday, 144 people contributed $6,378 to the fund’s $15,000 goal. Late Saturday, more than 377 people donated $20,805 to the fund.
“I wish we could do more,” said a woman who donated $20 to the cause Saturday evening. “My prayers are going up for you and your son. Lean to God to get you through this. I’m so sorry.”
Staff Writers Sharahn D. Boykin and John Bedell contributed reporting. WHIO-TV affiliates WVLT-TV Knoxville contributed reporting from Tennessee.
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