News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
During the F-4 tornado, 34-year-old Amanda Cole passed away.
Long time classmate Derik Zooashkiyani said although they moved away from each other after high school, they still kept in touch.
“She was just the sweetest person I think I may have ever met my entire life. She was constantly happy, always had a smile on her face, always tried to make sure that everyone else was taken care of. Very encouraging, always very very proud of her friends. She was just a wonderful, wonderful person. Again like I said, if she cared about you, you knew it,” Zooashkiyani said.
Amanda worked as a nanny, and had a close relationship with Dawson Curtis, one of the other tornado victims. Amanda lost her life protecting Dawson from the storm.
“There were several times where I would run into her when I would be in town and he was constantly by her side to the point where I thought that was her son and then she corrected me on it. She loved kids, I think she had a very special spot for Dawson, and it’s unbelievably heartbreaking to know that they’re gone,” Zooashkiyani said. “It breaks my heart to know that 34 is so young. It’s been a really tough week for everyone. I hate to know that next time I come to Tennessee, I won’t be able to see my friend.”
Terry Curtis, Dawson’s father, also fell victim to the tornado that evening.
