Aunt Encourages Folks to 'Be Like Bailey' Today

The family of Marshall County High School shooting victim Bailey Holt is encouraging everyone to do something kind in her honor today.

Tracy Tubbs, Bailey's aunt, gave a family update to West Kentucky Star, saying the family knew some dates on the calendar were going to be tough without her, like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

"We knew it was going to be hard. We didn't know the amount of pain that was going to be. It was just awkwardly hard, because a piece of our puzzle is gone, and she was a huge, but quiet piece. It just rings so loud when she's not here," Tubbs said.

Bailey and a classmate, Preston Cope, died in the shooting at the school on January 23, and more than a dozen others were injured. A remembrance service for students and families is scheduled for Wednesday at the school and another will be held for the community that night at Mike Miller Park.

With the date of the shooting drawing near, the family started seeing more photos of Bailey on Facebook and Instagram and television - and Tubbs said it's tough to avoid the reminders. In fact, Bailey's mom, Secret, recently told her sister that she understands what it means when people say they want to crawl in a hole to escape the memories and attention.

Tubbs said, "It's everywhere, and it's not just the Holts and the Copes that are struggling. We are heartbroken for the staff that was there that day, the kids that had to run for their lives that day and the fact that they all have to walk back into that place every single day and there are sights and sounds and smells that they're gonna remember forever. We hurt for them just as much as they hurt for us."

When she thinks about sending her kids to school on Wednesday, and the fear that can grip any parent or child, Tubbs said she's reminded of a popular song by Zach Williams called, "Fear is a Liar," and she takes those words to heart. 

Tubbs said, "Satan would love nothing more than for us to not want to go back to school or not want to go back to work and teach these kids and love on them and help them get through their day. He would love for us to succumb to fear, and Bailey would love it more than anything if you do quite the opposite."

Remembering Bailey's quiet generosity, Tubbs suggested that anyone who wants to honor her niece should volunteer to do something kind, like help an organization, do a good deed, or donate to a worthy cause. 

Tubbs said, "Just do something that day - you don't have to brag about it, you don't have to tell - but just give a contribution back to something kind and something good. I think that would make her light shine more than anything."

She said the family has received overwhelming support over the past year, and they are grateful. From Vice President Mike Pence and Governor Matt Bevin to people in the neighborhood or around the world, the Holt Family has a special place in the home where they keep the gifts and notes they have received, and look at them regularly for encouragement.

Tubbs said, "It's just overwhelming the amount of people that have stepped up and quietly said something or sent a message. We've gotten Facebook posts or Instagram posts and individual messages sent by people expressing their sincere thoughts and prayers, and that all means a lot."