Autumn Nelon Streetman, the only survivor of the gospel singing group The Nelons, gave birth to her first child on December 1, 2023 – the same day her mother would have turned 65 – just five months after losing her family in a plane crash.
Losing our loved ones brings the deepest pain we can feel in this world. But even in the midst of that pain, we can experience the peace that comes from the Lord.
During these times of sorrow, He brings us joy through unexpected blessings. Autumn Nelon Streetman’s story shows us this truth in a powerful way.
Autumn’s life took a heartbreaking turn on July 26 at Seattle airport’s baggage claim. That’s where she learned that her family members had died in a plane crash while traveling to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska.
The crash took the lives of her mother Kelly Nelon Clark, stepdad Jason Clark, sister Amber Nelon Kistler, brother-in-law Nathan Kistler, pilots Larry and Melissa Haynie, and their assistant Melodi Hodges.
While Autumn and her husband Jamie had flown from Nashville on a commercial flight, her family had taken a private jet from Georgia.
At the August memorial service, Autumn spoke with deep faith about her loss. “I do believe that God gives us something that’s worth trusting, and that is Him and Him alone,” she said.
She shared how her life changed in just three minutes, losing her “precious family, friends, and livelihood — with no warning.”
While investigators look into what caused the crash, with early reports pointing to possible problems with the plane’s autopilot system, the Gaither family wrapped Autumn in prayer and support during her hardest days.
God’s perfect timing showed itself when Autumn’s son, Rhett James, arrived a week early. She shared on Instagram: “The hardest but most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. Happy Birthday Mama, I think you would love this birthday gift.”
Having her baby born on her mother’s birthday brought a touch of heaven’s grace to her grief.
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During her pregnancy, Autumn found strength in waiting for her baby’s arrival. She told Woman’s World that expecting Rhett gave her joy and kept her moving forward with hope.
When The Nelons’ last album ‘Loving You’ came out on August 30, one song spoke right to Autumn’s heart. ‘The Hand of an Unseen God’ carries lyrics that now mirror her path: “in my weeping/in rejoicing/when my world is good or when it falls apart/I’m held by the hand of an unseen God.”
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Though she faces both bright and dark days, Autumn holds onto knowing her family rests with God. “I know that what they are seeing now is nothing compared to what we have down here,” she said. “Someday sooner than we think, we’re all going to be there.”
God writes stories of hope even in our deepest pain, bringing new life when we least expect it. Autumn shows us how faith carries us through our hardest seasons, even when we can’t see the road ahead.
Let’s lift up Autumn, Jamie, and baby Rhett in prayer as they begin this new chapter.
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