The final moments of Rena Scott-Lyles’ life were marked by love and resilience, as she clasped hands with her husband, Alan Lyles, seeking safety in the basement of their St. Louis home. On Friday, May 16, 2025, a devastating EF3 tornado tore through the city’s Fountain Park neighborhood, leveling their home on Bayard Avenue and claiming the life of the 60-year-old mother, grandmother, and community pillar. The couple, married for 25 years, had lived in the three-story house since Rena was nine years old, a family heirloom passed down through generations. As the storm approached, with no warning sirens to alert them and only flickering lights signaling danger, they rushed toward the basement. But the tornado’s ferocity ripped them apart, hurling Rena backward into her bedroom where a dresser fell on her, followed by the collapsing house. Alan, thrown down the basement stairs, survived, but Rena could not be saved despite the desperate efforts of neighbors who pulled him from the rubble.

Rena Scott-Lyles was more than a victim of a natural disaster; she was a cornerstone of her community. Known as “Mrs. Rena” to neighbors, she and Alan served as block captains, continuing a legacy of service begun by her parents. Her warmth and generosity were legendary, with neighbors recalling her readiness to offer help, whether it was a kind word or a helping hand. Edward White, a longtime neighbor, described her as a “beautiful lady” who would do her best for anyone. The home she cherished, filled with memories of raising five daughters, nurturing eight grandchildren, and welcoming a great-grandchild, was reduced to debris. Her daughter, Cieara Scott, spoke of the unbearable loss, noting that not only was their mother gone, but so were the tangible pieces of her life—childhood mementos, family milestones, all erased in moments.

The tornado that struck St. Louis was part of a deadly outbreak across Missouri and Kentucky, leaving at least 21 dead and countless homes destroyed. In St. Louis alone, five lives were lost, including Rena’s, and 38 people were injured. The storm’s path of destruction stretched from Clayton across the Mississippi River, damaging over 5,000 buildings and leaving a conservative estimate of $1.6 billion in damages. Among the other victims were Patricia Ann Pendleton, a church volunteer killed in the collapse of Centennial Christian Church, and Juan Baltazar, a beloved food truck owner struck by a falling tree. The absence of functioning storm sirens, later attributed to human error, compounded the tragedy, leaving residents like Rena and Alan with little time to react.

Rena’s family now faces the daunting task of planning her funeral while grappling with the loss of their matriarch and their ancestral home. Cieara Scott expressed the family’s resolve to honor her mother with a fitting farewell, even as they mourn the irreplaceable void left behind. Community members have rallied, sharing stories of Rena’s selflessness and her deep faith, which guided her life’s work. Mayor Cara Spencer described the storm’s impact as one of the worst in the city’s history, with recovery efforts underway through the Urban League’s headquarters at 1408 Kingshighway. As St. Louis rebuilds, the memory of Rena Scott-Lyles endures as a testament to a life dedicated to family and community, cut short in a moment of unity with the love of her life.