Two Young Decaturites Killed in Separate Incidents Yesterday
Decatur Metro | December 9, 2011UPDATE: Patch has acquired the Virgin Islands Police Department’s report on the incident involving Ms. Nettles, stating that she and her friends were attempting to get out of a tide pool at Annaly Bay when a current pulled her under.
Very sad news out of Alabama that apparently has lit up Facebook among Decatur’s younger population, according to parents.
al.com reports of a car accident on State Route 77 early morning Thursday…
Madison Minor Lewis, 19, was killed in the accident that happened around 3:20 a.m. She was a freshman third baseman on the Lady Bison softball team from Decatur, Ga.
I’ve also received some reports that another young Decaturite, Ellen Nettles, died in the Caribbean yesterday. Still trying to collect more details in that case, but multiple emails and comments have confirmed it. A very tough day for many in the Decatur community no doubt..
Our deepest sympathies go out to all the friends and family members.
Latest from Decaturish
The other girl was Ellen Nettles. She died in a riptide.
How tragic for the Nettles family. Her mother died only a couple of years ago.
My heart breaks for them.
My deepest condolences to the family.
i knew Ellen Nettles very well. the first time i went out of town was with ellen nettles and her mother. we the people from the city of decatur will miss these girls soo much and much codolences to the family. much love from the city of decatur
R.I.P ELLEN NETTLES MADISON LEWIS
WE WENT TO TYBEE ISLAND AND HAD A BLAST. I REMEMBER WHEN ELLEN BURRIED ME IN THE SAND AND MADE ME INTO A MERMAID. I REMEMBER WHEN ME AND ELLEN PLAYED VOLLEY BALL IN THE SAND TOGETHER SORRY FOR HER LOST AND MUCH LOVE SORRY I DIDNT GET TO HAVE A LAST MOMENT
I’m very sorry to hear this. I grew up down the street from the Nettles. My condolences…
Sad, sad, sad news. My heart aches for both of these lovely families. Deepest condolences and loving thoughts sent your way.
Heartfelt condolences to the families. I’ve heard there are Facebook pages for folks who want to express condolences or offer help. The four Lewis children are well known to my children so I appreciate the opportunity to prepare them.
Everyone knows AT LEAST one of the Lewis family, between Ryan and Kendall all of RMS and DHS is distraught today. I was with Ryan’s gf when we heard….. its been awful. He says he is “hanging in there but its hell” :'(
If you can let me know of the website for condolences for Madison Lewis I would greatly appreciate it. My daughter attends SU and lives in the same dorm as Madison. All the students are devastated. My heart breaks for these families. They will be in prayers!
From the DHS principal:
Decatur High School
December 12, 2011
A CaringBridge website was created as a tribute to Madison. Visit to keep up to date and leave a message in the guestbook for the Lewis family.Find
Chuck and Charlie’s site at
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chuckandcharlielewis
Today will be a particularly tough day for the family and this website will be something that will bring smiles to their faces in the coming weeks as they read our stories and tributes to Madison. Please take the time to write a message to the family if you have something to share.
Decatur High School | Principal
310 N. McDonough St. | Decatur GA 30030
(404) 370-4420 x111 |
Oh, how awful. I’m so terribly sorry for these families’ losses. Will certainly keep them both in my thoughts & prayers.
Decatur High School has a policy that students cannot drive their own cars to off-campus school events. They must take buses (presumably) driven by competent, sober drivers. I’ve thought often what a good policy this is. Too bad Madison’s college apparently didn’t have the same policy, since it was another student driving (allegedly drunk).
Madison’s younger brother, is my best friend. I talked to him today, says it is hell. Praying for both families.
Can someone (more FB savvy than me) please provide a link to the FB pages mentioned above! I don’t know the Lewis family well but know that they have a large impact on Decatur socially and athletically. My heart is aching for the family right now.
I don’t see info either except on the Decatur First United Methodist Facebook page where it says “The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at A. S. Turner & Sons on Sunday, December 11, 2011. The funeral service will be held Monday, December 12, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at Decatur First UMC. Interment at Decatur Cemetery will be followed by a reception at Decatur First UMC in the fellowship hall.”
The info I got about Facebook pages may have been wrong or been changed since this morning. Or they may be student Facebook pages and I’m not in that loop.
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Shocking news. Know both families,
The visitation for Madison Lewis yesterday was moving. I’m not good at estimating the size of crowds. But I wouldn’t be surprised if as many as 1,000 persons came through. Friends, classmates, parents, teachers, Decatur Rec staff, the Superintendent, all of Decatur it seemed, waited in line to express their sympathy and support. Decatur is a wonderful community that comes together when tragedy hits. I wish that such a beautiful child, great family, and wonderful community did not have to suffer this loss.
I miss madison sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much. Just came back from the funeral. It was very upsetting.
Was it really necessary to Characterize her parents in that way???? or even comment on them. I was at the visitation on Sunday and I thought they were holding up very well under the circumstances. The entire family as been an example of strength during this…
Agreed. That part of the comment has been removed.