Brandee’s mom: Daughter is ‘in heaven’

Altamesa Walker’s children still don’t completely understand the tragedy that thrust their family into the spotlight Monday.

Walker, 31, and her children spent the night at her mother’s Smyrna apartment Sunday night. Early Monday, they rose to start their journey to work and day care.

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Brandee Kelley, 4, was killed Monday morning when a car on South Cobb Drive hit her, her mother and three other siblings. The family has set up a trust fund in the child’s grandmother’s name, Carrie Richardson, at Wachovia. Donations can be made at any branch.

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As the family attempted to cross five-lane South Cobb Drive just north of King Springs Road to catch a bus, they were struck by a car.

Four-year-old Brandee Kelley was killed. Three other children — ages 8 weeks old to 8 years old — were treated for minor injuries.

“Last night, two of my kids asked where was Brandee,” said Walker, who spent most of Tuesday trying to make funeral arrangements. “I told them that she was in heaven. My 3-year-old son said that cars shouldn’t push people. They still really don’t realize that Brandee is gone.”

Walker has pulled on her faith to help strengthen the family. She said she is a minister at C.A.Y.A Outreach Ministries in Marietta.

“I’m holding up with the support of my church and friends,” said Walker, who is also a day-care teacher.

In addition to comforting her three children, Walker is trying to raise money for Brandee’s funeral. Children’s Burial Assistance, Inc., an Atlanta nonprofit organization developed to assist Georgia families who have limited financial resources to bury their children, is also offering help.

“This child deserves a decent funeral,” said organization founder Paul Lee.

Patrick Walker remembers his niece as a quiet, but fun-loving child. During his last visit to the Atlanta area, Brandee gave Walker a drawing of her immediate family.

“She is the kind of child that warms up to you and you love having around,” he said via telephone from Arizona.

Altamesa Walker said she is upset that the driver, whose name was not released, has not been charged. She disputes the police’s claim that the driver was not negligent. She said he was speeding and did not have his lights on.

Walker said the family was in the turn lane in the middle of the road when a car approached. Once the car passed, she led her children across thinking the road was clear.

Smyrna police spokesman Michael Smith said Monday that investigators determined that the family was not in the crosswalk. Smith could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

The family has set up a trust fund in the child’s grandmother’s name, Carrie Richardson, at Wachovia. Donations can be made at any branch.