Families Honor Young Victims of Oklahoma Tornado

In her new profile picture on Facebook, Kristi Conatzer is standing next to her daughter, Emily, 9, who was among the seven children killed at Plaza Towers Elementary School when a tornado tore through Moore, Okla., on Monday.

Writing on her Facebook page, Kristi Conatzer recalled hearing the words “you never want to hear as a parent. Our baby didn’t make it.”

Ms. Conatzer’s daughter, Emily, 9, was one of seven children who died at Plaza Towers Elementary School when a tornado tore through Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing 24 people and leveling almost everything in its path. She was among the victims whose names and ages were made public on Wednesday by the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Condolences for the families who lost loved ones in the tornado were left on Facebook pages, tribute Web sites and crowdfunding platforms. Their young lives were captured in brief obituaries posted on the Web sites of local funeral homes.

“I am overwhelmed by the support that is pouring in from all of my friends, family and Facebook family,” Ms. Conatzer wrote. “I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I hope I wake up and she is jumping around on me giggling…but i know that she is in heaven smiling down…my baby I know you are with the unicorns tonight…sleep well my angel..”

Emily Conatzer died alongside her “best little pal,” Antonia Candelaria, 9, who was also killed, wrote Antonia’s mother, Brandie Candelaria.

They were always giggling, running, laughing and playing. They were inseparable, even in their last moments, they held on to one another and followed each other into Heaven and they will never be alone. Although Tonie was only with us for such a brief time on earth, we are forever changed by her presence in our lives. She will continue to live on in our lives and hearts forever and every little ladybug we encounter will be a reminder of Antonia. We will miss our precious little “Ladybug” everyday but will rejoice for the day we will be reunited with her again someday. Antonia was an amazing daughter.

On Wednesday afternoon, a wake was held in nearby Oklahoma City for Kyle Davis, 8, another child from Plaza Elementary, who was remembered by his family as “one of the most fun and loveable kids anyone could ever know.”

Marvin Dixson, via Associated Press This undated photo provided by Marvin Dixon shows his grandson Kyle Davis.

He had a vibrant personality and smile that would captivate everyone’s attention. With an adventurous and competitive spirit, Kyle loved playing soccer, going to Monster Jam Truck events, riding 4-wheelers with his family and friends and playing with his sister and cousins. Kyle was an excellent student, a great friend and he was talented in so many ways.

On the soccer field, Kyle was known as “The Wall.” His mother, Mikki Davis Dixon, shared a link on her Facebook page to the page of her’s son soccer club, which has made T-shirts and decals to be distributed in his memory.

Joshua Hornsby said in an interview with The Associated Press that his daughter, JaNae, 9, loved to sing and would walk around the house singing. He said he had mistakenly assumed that the school had an appropriate place for students to take shelter during a tornado.

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Joshua Hornsby remembered his daughter, JaNae Hornsby, 9, one of the victims killed in the Oklahoma tornado, via A.P./YouTube.

Friends of the family of Sydney Angle, 9, another Plaza Towers third grader who died, have set up a Facebook group to raise money for and offer condolences to the family, who are originally from Wisconsin.

Sydney’s father, Dan Angle, who is seen in the photo below finding his daughter’s journal after combing through what is left of his home, wrote on Facebook: “The outpouring of support from friends and family has been nothing short of staggering. I haven’t had many words these last couple days and I still don’t. Just know my family appreciates each and every one of you. Mommy and Daddy aren’t the only ones who will miss you Sydney Bear.”

Joshua Lott/Agence France-Presse â€" Getty Images Daniel Angle read through a small binder with his daughter Sydney’s writing inside. He found it on Wednesday at his destroyed home in Moore, Okla.

On the online tribute site for Christopher Legg, 9, another Plaza Towers victim, his football coach wrote:

Christopher was a joy to be around. Always had a big smile. I had the privilege to be his football coach last year and worked with him individually in practice. He was one of those kids you never forget. I laugh when I think about all the fun times I had with him. He always thought he should be the quarterback. So we would play catch before practice. Christopher, I look forward to seeing you again. I love you Monkey. Coach Don

Brian Trumbly An undated photo of Christopher Legg.

Christopher’s family â€" including his parents, Danni and Ross Legg â€" described him as a child who “loved to play sports, and to fight for justice. He was greatly loved by all who knew him. He never met a stranger. You were always a friend in his eyes. Just last Sunday, his grandfather remarked that Christopher was going to play center for the University of Oklahoma someday. Christopher played football for the Red Eagles and the Rough Riders, baseball for the Mad Dogs, and basketball for the Moore Community Center. Christopher loved to rough-house and wrestle with his Daddy and his older brother, Alex and little sister, Haleigh. Christopher and his family attended church together at the First Baptist Church of Moore.”

Nicolas Scott McCabe, the son of Scott and Stacey McCabe, was anticipating his 10th birthday on June 4. “He was a bright young man with an ornery grin who adored his family and friends at Plaza Towers Elementary,” his family said. “Nicolas loved Legos, country music and going to the lake, where he desired to have his own ‘Pontoon boat’ one day. Though his years weren’t many, the memories and impressions he left on those he came into contact with is sure to endure forever.”

Of the 24 people killed, only one remained unidentified, the medical examiner’s office said. In addition to the seven children from Plaza Towers, three other children died, including two infants.

Laurinda and Phillip Vargyas lost two children â€" their daughters Karrina, 4, and Sydnee, 7 months â€" when the tornado destroyed their home in Moore.

“Our hearts go out to all the people affected by this tragedy,” the medical examiner’s office said in a statement. “The M.E. staff worked throughout the night and yesterday in coordination with state and federal agencies to identify victims and document injuries.”

According to the medical examiner’s office, most of the victims died from blunt force trauma or asphyxiation. The next of kin had not yet been found for eight of those killed. The names and ages of the victims whose identities were made public are:

Terri Long, 49
Megan Futrell, 29
Case Futrell, 4 months
Shannon Quick, 40
Sydnee Vargyas, 7 months
Karrina Vargyas, 4
Jenny Neely, 38
Antonia Candelaria, 9
Kyle Davis, 8
JaNae Hornsby, 9
Sydney Angle, 9
Emily Conatzer, 9
Nicolas Scott McCabe, 9
Christopher Legg, 9
Cindy Plumley, age not released
Deanna Ward, age not released