Alexis Neace Is Remembered

On May 21, 2010, the whole town of lawrenceburg was hurting. A 13 year old girl was walking with friends when she was hit and killed by a SUV.

Four years later, Alexis Neace is not forgotten.

"That was the hardest day of my life so far," said Matthew Whitehead, Neace’s cousin.

According to Kentucky State Police, in 2010, 61 pedestrians were killed on Kentucky Highways.  Neace was one of them.

She was walking to a shopping area with friends when she was hit.  Over the past four years, she has been missed.

"I remember her as a sweet charismatic girl who was a sister to me," said Whitehead.  Whitehead and Neace are nearly the same age, with just six months between them. 

"Every weekend, every day we spent together," said Kassie Gregory, cheer teammate.  "She’s like my sister."

Neace’s grandmother explained how much they all love and miss her.

"The only thing that’s keeping us going is knowing she’s in Heaven with Our Savior," said Diana Johnson, Neace’s grandmother. "We’ll see her again."

Of course they still do visit her, at her tombstone.

"I come here every month on the 21st," said Gregory.

On those visits they bring balloons.

Johnson said a tradition was born at Alexis’ funeral–the day she became their angel. 

About 100 balloons were released, but Alexis’ father David let his handful go later.  Johnson said all the balloons stopped in the sky until David’s took the lead.

"We think she gets them," said Johnson.  "It’s like the gates of Heaven opened up."

Part of Neace’s tombstone was actually paid for by a bake sale friends and family held about four years ago.