Devah Woods Obituary: A Heartbreaking Loss for Brenham, Texas
The community of Brenham, Texas, is in mourning following the tragic death of 10-year-old Devah Woods, a third-grade student at Brenham Elementary School. On the afternoon of Monday, May 5, 2025, Devah was swept away by rapidly rising floodwaters while walking home from school with her sister. Despite immediate attempts by bystanders and a police officer to rescue her, both were unsuccessful. The rescue operation transitioned from rescue to recovery as search teams worked through the night. Her body was found the following morning, approximately 1.2 miles from where she was last seen.
The incident occurred near Fireman’s Park, a location that had been affected by severe thunderstorms earlier in the day. The heavy rains had caused the floodwaters to rise rapidly, posing significant challenges for rescue efforts. The search involved multiple agencies, including the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas A&M Task Force 1, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Despite the challenging conditions, the community rallied together to support the search and recovery efforts.
Devah’s family, friends, and the entire Brenham community are devastated by this loss. Mayor Atwood Kenjura expressed the collective grief, stating that the community is deeply affected by the tragedy. Brenham ISD has offered counseling services to students and staff to help cope with the emotional impact.
In honor of Devah’s memory, a memorial service will be held at Brenham Memorial Chapel. The community is invited to pay their respects and support the grieving family during this difficult time.
As the community continues to process this heartbreaking event, thoughts and prayers are with Devah’s family and all those affected by this tragedy.