Messages of prayers and condolences poured out following the loss of students in the Cedartown community, and a prayer vigil is planned for midweek.

The Polk County Chamber of Commerce hung black and red ribbon in Rockmart and Cedartown, and social media has been filled with messages of support for the families of Gracie and Ava Reed Paulin and MJ Whatley, who have died in the past days.

Sisters Gracie and Ava died in a Jan. 21 collision with a tractor-trailer on Highway 27. A funeral service for the par is being held today following a Monday night visitation at Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home in Rockmart.

Whatley’s unexpected death is yet-to-be determined, and no immediate information was known about services as of the time of publication.

Dozens of comments relaying prayers amid the mourning include this one:

The Cedartown community has been hit hard this week. Prayers for peace, comfort and understanding.”

Kelly Stone Scott – Facebook

The Cedartown Football Twitter account added the following message as well:

A prayer vigil honoring Gracie, Ava and MJ is planned for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Second Baptist Church of Cedartown.