Festival will honor young clogger

Comments on Topix forums : ASHEVILLE Last year, 8-year-old Claire Atkins, of Spruce Pine, kicked up her heels on stage at the annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival.

[Keith retired Gun-bunny]

So sad for this child and her family. In the loving arms of the Lord now.

[The Parker Family]

As Claire's Aunt, Uncle, and Cousins, we are so honored by the dedication to Claire. The support our family has recieved has been overwhelming. We were all so blessed that God shared her with us for 8 years and we know God will continue to give us the strength to get through this very difficult time. Thank you to the mountain music community for honoring Claire's memory in such an amazing way.

[fastsam]

Thanks to the family for keeping a mountain tradition alive and sharing such beatiful daughters. I hope for a peace you have never known to come to you doing this time of saddness for your family.

[Carolinakat]

May God bless and comfort this family who, in their time of loss, still gave hope to five other families.

[Joi]

I am so heartbroken over this. Jeff & Angela attended Biltmore Baptist when Claire was a baby, and I had the priviledge of keeping her in the nursery. They are a remarkable family and she was a very special young lady. My daughters will be heartbroken as well and we send all our love to Jeff, Angela and the girls.

[Maria]

My heart and prayers go out to the family of this lovely little girl. May God bless and help you through this terrible tragedy.

[Whizzer]

May your many wonderful memories of Claire comfort you during this time of sorrow.

[chimps]

May she rest in peace. My condolences and prayers to the family.

[Kweshunater]

What a trgic loss. Blessings and love go out to the family.

[Joyce]

My thoughts and prayers go out to this family. It is not easy to give up a child. May God bless each of you during this time of sorrow.

[Heather]

My thoughts and prayers go out to Jeff and his family. I clogged with Jeff at Mars Hill and know what wonderful people he and Angela are and I can only imagine how wonderful the girls are.

[What]

Clog with the angels little one.

[unknown]

We went to church with Claire. She has touched so many people.

[Thurston]

What a loving tribute! May God bless sweet little Claire, and may He comfort her family.

[Blondzilla]

It will be the little things that you will remember, the quiet moments, the smiles, the laughter. It may seem hard right now, but it will be the memory of these little things that help to push away the pain and bring the smiles back again.

With the tragic loss of Claire, you bring the hope of life for others. Your family is an inspiration and a blessing. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

[JUST the FACTS]

May god bless and be with you at this hard moment in your road of life. What a beautiful gift to give to allow Claire to live on in a way through the other children she has saved. I am so sorry for your loss. God Bless

[NCbred-FL accidental]

Our hearts and prayers go to the family of this sweet, talented little girl. God bless you all.

[Granny]

As a grandma, I ask Mr. & Mrs.
Atkins to please, please have their other children tested for this defect, although the paper did not say they can be affected. I cannot imagine anything worse than losing a child, especially so suddenly like this.

[Crazy Comments]

I don't know this family, never even been to Spruce Pine before, yet, my heart breaks for this family. You have my deepest and most heartfelt sympathy. May God wrap his loving arms around the family and give them strength in the coming days, weeks and months. May her soul Rest In Peace. God Bless each of you.

[Laura P]

Jeff and Angela
We are continuing to lift your family up in prayer. What a sweetie Claire was, and what a blessing she has obviously been to many. We love all of you so much!!
Joel, Laura, and boys