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What began as a request for an autographed book benefiting a tornado relief effort in Pope County has garnered international attention around the world--all thanks to the love of a little girl. Channel 7's Pamela Smith has the story of Emmy.
This is Emmy Cherry, whose bubbly personality and infectious smile endeared her to all who crossed her path.
She loved books and animals, especially cats, even at a young age. and the two loves have landed her on literary radar of internationally acclaimed best-selling authors.
But it is a bittersweet recognition--that this little girl will never get to realize--precocious 10-year-old's life cut short in a February tornado that also claimed her mother and father.
Miraculously, Emmy's kitten, Shasta, battered and bruised--survived.
(Harley Bell, Emmy’s Friend) "My mom was cleaning out from under a tree, and she found Shasta... and we took her to the vet and we found out she broke her leg but the vet had to cut it off. "
Emmy's good friend harley adopted Shasta.
(Bell) "Happy that I still have a part of Emmy with me and I know I'll always have her. And I'm just glad Shasta is with me so I can take care and I think it would make emmy happy."
Nearly 3-months after the tornado, family and close friends are gathering at the vintage book store in Russellville--one of Emmy's favorite places. Her grandmothers fondly recalls Emmy's passion.
(Kay Cherry, Emmy’s grandmother) "She says Nanny Nanny I'm reading and I said yes you are I hear you. But she said no I'm really reading and she really was and she's been reading ever since and it was just before she turned 4 years-old that this happened."
(Elaine Kizer, Emmy’s grandmother) "She was 5 or 6 and I was reading another famous author, John Grisham, and she said Granny read me some of that book and I read her a few sentences and she said when you finish that book, may I borrow it."
(Kizer) "She run in here and sit in that little spot."
Lynn Wiman owns the bookstore.
(Lynn Wiman, Owner Vintage Books) "I believe very strongly about what St. Francis said, show the love of God everyday and use words if necessary. When Emmy died, instead of sending flowers, I wanted to send a book to the middle school."
She wrote the publisher about buying a book from Emmy's favorite series, "Warriors," and getting it autographed by the authors writing under the same pen name--never did she imagine what would happen next.
(Wiman) "Their pen name is Erin Hunter, and they never have signed in the history of their writing all three names in a book, the first time they did that was when they sent a book to Atkins."
Authors even set up a webpage, children from all over the world signed on writing many tributes.
(Katy Tackett, Friend) "She was a very good friend in 5th grade and we'll miss her very much."
Including Emmy's best friend.
(Tackett) "At first I didn't like to read as much as I do now, then she started reading with me kinda got me to start reading more thanI was originally."
Katy and her family--along with Emmy's family is preparing for a trip to memphis to meet one of the authors of the warrior series. Even, Shasta, with her indomitable spirit,is making the trip.
For a face-to-face with one of the United Kingdom Authors.
(Victoria Holmes, Author, "Warrior series) "Emmy's story touched me particularly because she was such a charming little girl. The more I heard about her, the more I wish I'd known her when she was alive. and to be wiped out along with your family, that seems like more of a loss than any community should have to bear."
Response on the Warrior website was overwhelming.
(Holmes) "With all the passion shown from Warriors fans, in response to Emmy's death and incredible enthusiasm from her community to remember her, we should make use of this momentum and turn a tragedy into something really really good."
All of the characters in the Warrior series are named after cats--fans suggested the name "Bright Spirit" for Emmy--shining heart and brave heart for her mother and father.
(Holmes) "They are going to appear as very wise cats who have a role to play in the community and it will be an honor to dedicate that book to Emmy Cherry and her family."
Emmy Cherry wanted to be a veterinarian and those who knew her say she no doubt would have. And just as she touched those around her small community--now at least, through books, generations of children across the globe will come to know this special little girl.
(Cherry) "I think it's amazing they would do that for somebody who lived in a little town that we never knew so many people would know her. "
(Kizer) " She would just be thrilled to death, this is something that will live on forever… and if she just knew that..."
The authors usually only tour major cities, but because they too were inspired by Emmy's story--plans are underway for a visit to Russellville this fall where they will launch a literacy campaign.
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