Hundreds say goodbye to Judson senior at touching memorial

Emilee Hurst killed in a murder-suicide Monday; shocking her school, community

CONVERSE, Texas – At 18-year-old Emilee Hurst's memorial Friday night, it was clear how many lives she touched. 

Hurst's ex-boyfriend shot her at her home early Monday morning and then turned the gun on himself.

Hurst was supposed to be dazzling audiences with her stunning dance routines, caring for animals in Future Farmers of America, or teaching Sunday school to children at Grace Community Church. She was supposed to be living out her dreams, but instead her loved ones said goodbye Friday night. 

"The dancers miss her so much,” said friend and fellow dance teammate Ruby Lomas. “She was a part of us, so we're trying to keep it all together here."

The members of Hurst's dance team at Judson High School are trying to cope without the girl they called an inspiring leader.

"You could be having a bad day and she'd make you smile," said Montana Fernandez.

"She was that one type of person where if you needed help you go to her because she's the one who actually helps you," said Makira Morrison.

"It's really unfair to us and to anyone that knew her," Fernandez said.

Every seat was filled for her memorial at Judson High School's Performing Arts Center. There was a sea of pink, her favorite color. That stage and that room are extremely symbolic. Hurst's dance team practices and performs there all the time. 

"Knowing her feet touched that stage in there, you have to go in there and practice," Morrison said.

For many saying goodbye is impossible, so they try to remember the good times.

That's what Emilee's boyfriend did as he addressed the crowd at the memorial.

"We always told each other like three times a day we love each other. We never argued about anything. If we argued it was about who loved each other more," he said, as the crowd let out a therapeutic laugh.

The room was filled with the tear-stained cheeks of loved ones proving Hurst's life, impact and memory will never fade.

 


About the Author:

Courtney Friedman anchors KSAT’s weekend evening shows and reports during the week. Her ongoing Loving in Fear series confronts Bexar County’s domestic violence epidemic. She joined KSAT in 2014 and is proud to call the SA and South Texas community home. She came to San Antonio from KYTX CBS 19 in Tyler, where she also anchored & reported.