On July 26, 2024, the Southern Gospel music community was forever changed by an unthinkable tragedy.
A plane carrying members of the beloved gospel group The Nelons—Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark, their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler, Amber’s husband Nathan Kistler, the group’s assistant Melodi Hodges, and pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa—crashed in Campbell County, Wyoming. All seven aboard lost their lives while en route to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska, a journey meant for worship and celebration.
Amid the heartbreak, one family member was spared: Autumn Nelon Streetman, Kelly and Jason’s youngest daughter. Pregnant and awaiting the cruise in Seattle, Autumn survived simply because she was not on the plane. Her life—and the new life she carries—has become a poignant reminder of grace amid loss.
Roots of Faith and Song
To grasp the magnitude of this loss, one must understand who The Nelons were and what they represented.
Their story began in 1977, when Rex Nelon, Kelly’s father, founded The Rex Nelon Singers. Over the decades, the family evolved into The Nelons, carrying forward a musical ministry that blended tight harmonies, heartfelt testimonies, and unwavering faith.
The group’s achievements are remarkable:
- 35+ albums recorded
- Multiple Grammy and Dove Award nominations
- Induction into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame (2016)
Their repertoire bridged generations, blending classic hymns with contemporary gospel, inspiring listeners from small-town churches to grand concert halls.
Kelly was the heart and voice of the group—faithful to her father’s vision and steadfast in her own calling. Jason, her husband, shaped the group’s sound as both producer and performer, while daughters Amber and Autumn carried on the family harmony, symbolizing a ministry that was as much about love and faith as it was about music.
The Crash and Its Aftermath
The small aircraft carrying the group went down in a remote area of Wyoming that July day. Early reports suggest a potential autopilot malfunction, though the NTSB investigation remains ongoing.
For the gospel world, the loss was seismic—beloved musicians, mentors, and friends suddenly gone. Fans and colleagues alike described it not merely as losing artists, but as losing family.
Their absence left an unfillable void. Yet the faith they lived and sang about now serves as comfort to those mourning them.
Autumn’s Strength: Faith Through Heartbreak
In the days following the tragedy, Autumn Nelon Streetman emerged as both a mourner and a messenger of hope.
Pregnant and grieving, she wrestled openly with questions of loss and purpose: “Why did God leave me here? How can He get glory in something so painful?”
Still, her answers reflected the faith instilled by her family. “My choice,” she said, “is to trust Him fully.”
Determined to honor her loved ones, Autumn committed to completing The Nelons’ final album, Loving You—a project already underway before the crash. She described it as “songs of hope for a hurting world.”
The album includes “Hands of an Unseen God,” “We’ve Always Had a Song,” “Moses,” and the title track “Loving You.” Now, these songs serve as both worship and memorial—an enduring echo of voices silenced too soon.
Six weeks after the crash, Autumn stepped onto the Grand Ole Opry stage for her first solo performance, singing “How Great Thou Art.” The moment was both tribute and testimony, embodying courage through devastation. Later, she joined The Isaacs at a memorial service to sing “Family Chain,” a song about reunion and eternal hope—one that now carries profound personal meaning.
A Ministry That Still Speaks
For The Nelons, music was never mere performance—it was ministry. Their songs gave voice to faith in seasons of joy and sorrow alike.
Timeless favorites like “We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown,” “Come Morning,” and “I Shall Not Be Moved” became anthems for believers facing hardship.
Their final album, Loving You, was later nominated for a Grammy in the Roots Gospel category, a fitting acknowledgment of excellence built on conviction.
Listeners continue to share stories of how The Nelons’ music comforted them through grief, strengthened their faith, and deepened their worship. In the aftermath of tragedy, that influence has only grown. Autumn’s determination to continue sharing their message has become part of the healing for countless fans.
What Endures
The Nelons leave behind a legacy that transcends awards and albums. It is a legacy woven from faith, family, and perseverance:
- Faith in suffering: Their story affirms that true faith endures even in heartbreak.
- Music as ministry: Their recordings remain as living sermons—reminders of grace and hope.
- Love as legacy: The unity of the Nelon family continues through Autumn, through their fans, and through a community that refuses to forget.
- Hope beyond death: Central to their message was the promise of eternal life—the belief that families separated by tragedy will one day be reunited.
Conclusion: A Song That Never Ends
The Nelon family tragedy is a story of deep loss—but it is also one of enduring light.
Their voices may no longer harmonize on earth, yet their message still resounds: faith that stands in sorrow, love that outlasts death, and music that continues to heal.
As Autumn Nelon Streetman carries both her family’s name and their mission forward, she reminds the world that their story did not end in Wyoming.
It lives on—in every song sung, every heart lifted, every listener reminded that even in tragedy, hope still sings.
