
MAMIE LANGSTON
Faith, Loss, and a New Beginning

Recalling the night of December 10, 2021, when a fierce EF-4 tornado tore through Mayfield, Kentucky, is heartbreaking for Mamie Langston. She left her home to seek shelter at a friend’s house, urging other friends to do the same. Tragically, they chose to stay in their home, and just half an hour later, all four of them were killed.
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When Mamie returned to her house the next morning, the devastation was clear. Trees were down in her yard, her fence was destroyed, and the back side of her house was demolished. In addition to grieving her friends' deaths, Mamie now had to face the destruction of her home. Reflecting on that moment, she says, “I shed some tears, but had to go on.”
For the following days, Mamie stayed with friends since her home was unsafe. She could only spend brief moments inside due to the extensive damage. Despite the destruction, she received no outside support, relying solely on her friends. One of the hardest parts for Mamie was trying to help others who were in even worse situations, while also witnessing looters taking advantage of those who had lost so much.
One day, Mamie saw a sign advertising the Mayfield Graves Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG). After reaching out, she was assigned a case manager, whom she describes as “amazing.” They assessed the damages, confirmed her house was beyond repair, and assisted in getting a new home built through a partner of the LTRG, Appalachia Service Project (ASP). Reflecting on this new chapter, she shares, “The man I was engaged to and I had a dream of having a new home. He passed away, so he has to see it from Heaven. There is a tree planted in the front yard with a plaque in memory of him.”

Mamie expresses deep gratitude to the Mayfield Graves LTRG, saying, “LTRG was the only resource I had, and they did so much for me.” She credits both her late fiancé and the LTRG for helping her through the toughest moments. For those who might face similar challenges, Mamie offers simple yet profound advice: “You’ve got to have faith. Go to God, and God will work it out.”