More Than 100 Gather For Vigil To Remember Dallas Ebola Victim
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - While parts of North Texas were in a frenzy over another possible Ebola threat, others were mourning the loss of son, brother, father and fiancé Thomas Eric Duncan.
Duncan succumbed to the Ebola virus on Wednesday morning and just hours later hundreds gathered for a prayer vigil in his honor.
Amid all the panic and fear of the last week, the moments at Wilshire Baptist Church were more humanizing. It was a show of love, for the man who died, and the family he leaves behind.
Wilshire Baptist had originally planned the vigil to pray for the healing of Duncan. But with his death, it is the hearts of the 42-year-old's loved ones that need healing now.
Friend Saymendy Lloyd, who has acted as family spokesperson, remembers the reaction of Duncan's fiancée, Louise Troh. "She said 'I'm finished. I'm finished.' I told her to just be calm."
Duncan came to Dallas from Liberia to start a new life with Troh. Sadly, neither Troh nor Duncan's 19-year-old son, Eric, could be at the hospital for his final moments.
"His father is dead," Lloyd said, referring to Duncan's son. "He came yesterday from campus to meet his father for the first time."
The church streamed the prayer service online, so Duncan's family could join. His fiancée, and three other people will be quarantined for another 11 days.
Wilshire Baptist Pastor George Mason said, "Louise's Sunday school class, the open bible class, they have loved and supported her before this time, during this time, and when all the cameras go away, and we pray she is well, and resumes a somewhat normal life, they will be there for her even then."
Pastor Mason had the difficult duty of breaking the news of the death, but Wednesday night talked more of the living man. "Thomas Eric Duncan had flesh, and blood, and dreams."
The pastor also relayed Duncan's last words. When a nurse asked him what he wanted, Duncan told her he wanted to see his son and said that he was proud of him.
The hour-long service Wednesday night included prayer, scripture and song. Dozens of families who belong to the church attended the service. Many of those who went out to Wilshire Baptist stayed after the vigil ended to talk to people and support Duncan's family.
The service ended with 'Amazing Grace,' sung by candlelight.
Duncan's remains will be cremated, because of the Ebola infection. Guidelines call for the ashes to be sealed. A possible funeral or burial of the ashes is still being discussed.
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