ERWIN, Tenn. — Authorities said Monday the bodies of five out of six people missing from Impact Plastics in Erwin were recovered. They are believed to have been swept away in floodwaters brought on by Hurricane Helene.
The names of the dead haven't been released. However, a northeast Tennessee funeral home, and friends of some of the missing people in Erwin, have confirmed the identities of four of the people.
Johnny Wayne Peterson
According to an obituary, Johnny Wayne Peterson, 55, died in the flooding. His obituary said he worked at Impact Plastics for more than 35 years, and that he's survived by his children, their mother and had a grandchild on the way.
"Johnny was very involved in the Unicoi County Football teams, and he loved cheering his son on at every game," his obituary said.
Donations to Pereson's family can be made to the Johnny Peterson Memorial Fund at the Clinchfield Credit Union 1038 N Main Ave, Erwin, TN 37650.
Sibrina Barnett
A relative of an Impact Plastics employee confirmed to 10News that Sibrina Barnett is one of the former employees who died in the flooding.
There is a memorial benefit spaghetti dinner planned for Barnett from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13. The benefit is being held at the Fairview Methodist Church, 878 Highway 81 North in Jonesborough.
Bertha Mendoza
According to an obituary, Bertha Mendoza, 56, died following the flooding of the Nolichucky River. The obituary said she was a native of Janamuato, Michoacan, Mexico, but she'd been a resident of Unicoi County since 1998.
Mendoza worked for Impact Plastics for years and is survived by her parents, husband, four children, four grandchildren and other family members.
"She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren," the obituary said.
Her family has set up a GoFundMe campaign page to help pay for funeral expenses.
Lidia Verdugo
A family member of an Impact Plastics employee confirmed that Lidia Verdugo died in the flooding. She was an employee at Impact Plastics.
"She was a great mother and grandmother," her loved ones wrote on a GoFundMe page. "The family is devastated by this event."
NBC affiliate WCYB-TV reports Monica Hernandez also died in the flooding.
According to a GoFundMe page, Hernandez is a mother, wife and friend. She left behind three children, and her family is asking for money to help her be laid to rest next to her late daughter in Mexico.
Still missing: Rosa Maria Andrade Reynoso
Rosa Maria Andrade Reynoso is an Impact Plastics employee who remains missing.
"She said goodbye to me, and to take care of the kids," said Francisco Javier Guerrero, Reynoso's husband. "We feel destroyed because of what's happening, specifically because we don't have answers if she is one of the people that were located."
You can watch a video about Reynoso below.
