Child's death leaves Hazel Green family stunned at Christmas

HAZEL GREEN, Al.
Whenever Taylor Letson had the chance, she was outside playing with her friends in her yard on Narrow Lane in Hazel Green. That's what she was doing late Wednesday afternoon when she was hit by a car.
The kids and the adult who were outside with her don't know exactly how the accident happened. What is known is that Taylor was hit by a 2002 BMW just before 5 p.m., and was pronounced dead at Huntsville Hospital.
"Tay-Tay" or "Tatertot" to her family, Taylor was killed immediately, said her aunt, Deanna Letson. "She didn't suffer," Letson said.
Alabama state troopers identified the driver of the BMW as David Leroy Beetem, 63, of New Market. The wreck was still under investigation Thursday. No charges had been filed.
Taylor, the daughter of Doug and Robie Letson, was a second-grader at Hazel Green Elementary School, where the staff was struggling to deal with her loss Thursday, said Geraldine Tibbs, spokeswoman for the Madison County school system.
The teachers at the school, which Taylor had attended since she was in kindergarten, remembered a friendly, outgoing child, "a social butterfly," who loved to give hugs, Tibbs said.
Hazel Green Principal Dr. Sheila Jones called her faculty and staff Wednesday night to tell them about Taylor's death, Tibbs said. The school system sent additional counselors to the school Thursday to help students, teachers and staff members. Thursday was the last day of school before winter break.
Taylor's aunt said her niece was a big tomboy who was very outspoken and always had to have her boots on.
"She loved being outside playing," Letson said. "She loved being with other kids."
Taylor was the youngest of three girls, with older sisters Amber, 17, and MaKenzie, 11. Her dad, Doug, grew up on Countess Road, where his parents, Billy and Debi Letson, still live. It's where the family was gathered Thursday.
"It's the house where the (grandkids) spent the weekends" and the tightly knit family always comes together, Deanna Letson said. Taylor is also survived by maternal grandparents Ricky and Rita Young of Decatur.
On Thursday, the stunned family was pulling together photos of Taylor, showing her taking part in a church camp, clowning around with her many cousins and, most recently, posing in front of a Christmas tree. They'll use the photos in a video tribute that will be played during her visitation at Valhalla Funeral Home today from 6 to 8 p.m. The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with burial following.
Like most 7-year-olds, Taylor was excited about Christmas and had begged for a pair of Justin brand cowboy work boots. She would have gotten them Christmas morning. "She's going to be buried wearing them," Letson said.