The devastating floods that swept through Texas over the Fourth of July weekend have left communities heartbroken, with stories emerging of young lives cut tragically short. Among them was 21-year-old Joyce Catherine Badon, whose body was recovered after days of intense searching.
Joyce had been celebrating the holiday with friends in Hunt when disaster struck. Her mother, Kelleye Badon, recounted the terrifying final moments when floodwaters engulfed the cabin where Joyce and three friends were staying. “They were trying to reach higher ground when the waters took them,” Kelleye said through tears. The group’s last contact with the outside world came when Aidan Heartfield called his father, Thad, just before the raging waters carried them all away.
The tragedy extended to Camp Mystic, where two inseparable friends – 9-year-old Lila Bonner and 8-year-old Eloise Peck – perished together in the rising waters. Their families described the girls as bright lights who brought joy to everyone they met. “Eloise loved animals more than spaghetti,” her mother shared in a heartbreaking tribute, “and she made friends with everyone she met.”
As search teams continue looking for other missing campers, including 11-year-old Hadley Hanna, the community has rallied around grieving families. Social media has been flooded with messages of support and shared memories of those lost. The stories of Joyce, Lila and Eloise represent just a fraction of the lives claimed by the historic flooding, but their memories will live on in the hearts of those who loved them.
