Teen's loved ones aid Jesus House

Her mother, Renee Henson, said she promised Braylee that she would go with her when the 4-H Teen Leaders group made its planned fall/winter 2012 trip to the shelter.

Henson made good on that promise — and more — on a recent sunny Saturday.

Braylee was killed June 6 after she went to a Velma convenience store for a soft drink and a candy bar. Her body was found in a field. The Stephens County district attorney formally charged Miles Bench, of Davis, a clerk at the convenience store, in the teen's death.

To honor the teen's memory, Henson, other members of Braylee's family and a host of friends converged on the Jesus House warehouse at 1401 W Sheridan to refurbish the prayer room there.

“This place just touched her heart and she was planning to come back in December with 4-H,” Henson said.

So they painted and installed furniture.

They hung pictures, blinds and curtains.

“We're here to keep her memory and what she stood for alive. She loved God, her family and other people,” Henson said.

Each volunteer said Braylee would have loved the project, so they did it for her.

“This is for Braylee,” they said.

This is for Braylee.

Teen's love for others lives on

Rick Denny, Jesus House executive director, said the prayer room is used by shelter staff to take many individuals and families for prayer as they come to the warehouse during the shelter's food distribution times. He said the room was outfitted with a few tables and chairs, but had recently sustained smoke damage during an August fire that was determined to be arson.

He said he liked the idea of the refurbishment project for Braylee because it shows how the shelter's work can affect not just the lives of those served but those who serve there.

“It's an honor to be involved in her memory like this. It's tremendous,” Denny said.