Virginia Hollis was at Camp Mystic when the July 4 flood killed more than two dozen campers, counselors and the co-owner.
BELLVILLE, Texas — The streets of Bellville fell silent Wednesday evening as the community welcomed home one of its youngest daughters, killed in the devastating July 4 flood at Camp Mystic.
The body of 8-year-old Virginia Hollis was found along the Guadalupe River earlier this week, more than a week after the catastrophic July 4 floods. She and at least 27 other campers and counselors from Camp Mystic were swept away. Several of the victims were from the Houston area.
Residents lined the streets of downtown Bellville wearing green as requested, many bringing their children to say goodbye to Virginia. The solemn procession included the sound of weeping from her mother and the clip-clop of horse hooves as her grandfather led Virginia’s horse behind the hearse carrying her body.
“My heart has been breaking for the parents and the friends and I just felt like I needed to be here,” said Nadine Kossow, a Houston resident who drove to Bellville with a friend Wednesday afternoon.
The Bellville Police Department and Austin County Sheriff’s Office were among the agencies that escorted Virginia home on Wednesday.
The outpouring of support extended far beyond Bellville’s borders. Strangers from the Hill Country to Austin County lined the roads to pay their respects to a girl they’d never met.
‘Pure, joyful soul’
Named after her mother and grandmother, they say she came from a long line of strong Texas women. Family members remember Virginia as a cowgirl who loved the rodeo and her horse, “Salt Valley.”
“She was proud to cover him when he bucked and bragged she was a saddle bronc rider like her Grandpa,” her dad shared.
A GoFundMe.com account set up by family friends on behalf of the family said Virginia was a first-time camper and a pure, joyful soul who lit up every room.
“She loved fishing as much as she loved gardening, playing piano as much as painting, and the color pink as much as she loved the Astros. She was brave, curious, and full of life.”
The little girl also loved golf, exploring nature and babysitting her little sister, Sienna.
“Virginia was gentle, kind, and had an infectious smile. Named after her mother and grandmother, she grew up in a line of strong Texas women, and that strength showed up front and center in our sweet Virginia.”