Tragedy Strikes Dedicated DB Congress Rep in Kentucky

Dedicated Dierks Bentley fan, Larissa Faye Branham, 33, of Glasgow, Kentucky died Jan. 12, 2011, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville after an accident at her home. 

Larissa's mom, Cheryl, posted the following on Facebook.  (David is one of our dedicated DB Congress reps in Larissa's home state of Kentucky):

David, My name is Cheryl Branham. Our daughter Larissa spoke of you often about you attending Dierks concerts. I remember you taking the time to come over and speak to her at the re-opening of the Opry. Larissa has passed away from a tragic accident here at home on January 12. We are going to play a song by Dierks at her funeral. Would you please let others know about this? Dierks has lost a HUGE,HUGE fan. Her father and I are struggling, but some of our best memories are taking her to his concerts. Please pray for us, she was our only child. This is all so unreal. I know she is in heaven singing all those Dierks songs and able to dance around without her wheelchair. Much love to all.

We are deeply saddened by this tragic news.  Many DB Congress reps had the pleasure of meeting Larissa in person and many knew her through chatting on Facebook.  I first had the pleasure of meeting Larissa in 2006 at my first Dierks Bentley Fan Club party in Nashville and met her several times after and once when Dierks performed the Opry.  She loved Dierks and supported him tirelessly.  I will never forget her smile and sweet personality.  Our hearts and prayers go out to the Branham family. Larissa will be greatly missed.  She was an important member of our DB Congress family.

The visitation is Saturday after 2:00 p.m. and funeral Sunday, the 16th, at A.F. Crow And Son Funeral Home in Glasgow, KY. Aternate expressions can be made to Spina Bifida Association or BRAWA, Barren River Animal Welfare Association, the animal shelter for Glasgow, KY.

On behalf of the DB Congress, we are sending flowers and donations to the Spina Bifida Association and BRAWA.  If you would like to contribute toward flowers, please email me at Ronna@dbcongress.com.  For donations toward either of the charities in Larissa's name, please email Molly at mvasey@rochester.rr.com.  She will split the donations between the two charities.

I hear people talk of heaven
And how it's only for the precious few
But in the book that I've been readin'
Sounds to me like there's a lot of room
So I bet some folks are gonna be surprised
About who makes it to the other side 'cause in the


Heaven I'm headed to
There's a place for preachers, thieves and prostitutes
Saints and soldiers, beggars, kings and renegades
For any soul that ever found amazing grace
Ain't no tellin' who on earth He might include


In the heaven I'm headed to
It's not my place to say
Just who does or doesn't get to go
I'm only one among the many
Stumblin' down that narrow road
There's so many things in this life to love
And I believe there's hope for each of us 'cause


And the only thing I know
We all get the chance to go


Saints and soldiers, beggers, kings and renegades
Any soul that ever found amazing grace
Ain't no tellin' who on earth He might include
In the heave I'm headed to
The heaven I'm headed to
The heaven I'm headed to
~Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers, and Paul Nelson