Tributes pour in for Mississippi man who died while protecting wife from tornado

A Mississippi man who tragically died while he was shielding his wife from the tornado that ravaged their community on Friday was described as a “kind person” with a “very bubbly spirit.” According to WEAR-TV, Robert Lee and his wife were sheltering in the bathroom of their Silver City home when the fatal incident occurred. 

The bottom of a trailer home reportedly sliced through the couple’s home after it was blown by the wind and landed in their bathroom. Volunteers said Lee died while he was shielding his wife from a beam that was going to drop on them. She sustained injuries and was taken to a hospital where she underwent surgery.

The Silver City community has been paying tribute to Lee in the wake of his tragic death. “I literally spoke with him the day of the tornado,” Humphreys County Alderman, Marvin Jones, said.

Humphreys County Circuit Clerk, Timaka Reed, also said Lee was a “kind person, very bubbly spirit, always outgoing, wonderful teacher, outdoorsman, and just all-around great person.” 

“You think this is just another storm, but to be as it is, as wide as it was with such an impact, we just had no idea,” Reed also said.

Jones added that one of Lee’s “biggest things was laughter. That’s what he was all about.” The tornado is said to have caused significant damage in the community. “We have no other choice but to rebuild and to look at Silver City as an opportunity to grow stronger,” said Reed.

On Saturday, President Joe Biden commiserated with the families of people who died in the tornadoes.

“The images from across Mississippi are heartbreaking. While we are still assessing the full extent of the damage, we know that many of our fellow Americans are not only grieving for family and friends, they’ve lost their homes and businesses,” Biden said, per ABC7 Chicago.

“To those impacted by these devastating storms, and to the first responders and emergency personnel working to help their fellow Americans: we will do everything we can to help. We will be there as long as it takes. We will work together to deliver the support you need to recover.”