The catastrophic Texas floods have left behind unimaginable loss, with several young victims being remembered for their infectious joy and kindness. Joyce Catherine Badon, 21, was identified days after disappearing in the raging waters that overtook her holiday gathering in Hunt.
Her father, Ty Badon, shared the painful details of her final moments – how she was on the phone describing the rising floodwaters before the call suddenly cut out. Joyce had been with three friends when the cabin was overwhelmed; two remain missing while another, Reese Manchaca, was also found deceased.
At Camp Mystic, the tragedy struck even younger victims. Best friends Lila Bonner, 9, and Eloise Peck, 8, died together in their cabin. Their families described the inseparable pair who shared a love for adventure and making others smile. “Lila’s laughter could light up any room,” one relative recalled, while Eloise’s mother remembered her daughter’s boundless compassion for animals.
As search operations continue for other missing campers, the stories of these vibrant young lives have touched people across the nation. Memorial pages and vigils have sprung up online, with strangers sharing condolences and prayers for the grieving families.
