Family remembers Lexington church shooting victims as loving mothers devoted to faith and community

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The family of two women killed in Sunday’s deadly shooting at Richmond Road Baptist Church is sharing memories of their loved ones as the investigation continues.

Beverly Gumm, 72, and her daughter Christina Combs, 32, were both killed when a gunman opened fire inside the church during a lunch gathering. Three others, including a Kentucky State Police trooper, were also injured before police shot and killed the suspect.

Gumm’s daughters — Patches Rutherford, Star Rutherford and Rachael Barnes — say their mother devoted her life to her children, her faith and her community. A mother of eight, Gumm led women’s groups, fed the homeless, and ran church camps. Her daughters said she even kept small Bibles and two-dollar bills in her car to give to people in need.

Christina Combs, a mother of five and nursing school student, was described as being “just like their mom,” always caring and giving.

In the midst of grief, Patches Rutherford said her family’s faith remains strong. “I just think, in our country right now we just need to pull each other closer, we need to love each other harder. We need a little bit of kindness and a little bit of forgiveness. Don’t lose your faith because bad things happen — evil people cause bad things, not God. All you can do is look out for each other and love each other and try to be a better person every day,” she said.

The sisters said they take comfort in believing their mother and sister are “in a better place, dancing with Jesus.”

Police continue to investigate the entire incident, which began with the shooting of a KSP trooper near Blue Grass Airport.

There are two fundraisers started by Star Rutherford, the daughter and the sister of the two victims. If you’d like to donate, you can click HERE and HERE.