Five Van Zandt Victims Buried Friday

Five people will be laid to rest in Grand Saline on Friday following a house fire in Van Zandt County that killed a mother and four of her children. The victims are Jasmine Henson and her sons Robert, 10, Troy, 8, Levi, 5, and Avrii, 3. Their remains will be interred during services at Main Street Baptist Church.

The tragedy unfolded on Oct. 21 when flames destroyed the family’s mobile home near Canton. Cody Mitchell, Henson’s long-time partner, and their 7-year-old son Grayson were the only two survivors. Officials are currently investigating the incident and have not yet determined a specific cause for the fire.

Local education authorities are coordinating schedules to allow community members to attend the memorial. Both the Canton Independent School District and the Grand Saline Independent School District will release students early on Friday. This adjustment ensures that school-aged children can be present for the 2 p.m. ceremony.

The Henson and Mitchell families issued a joint statement this week regarding the upcoming services. "As we navigate this terrible tragedy, we ask for privacy, compassion, and continued prayers," the families said. They requested that the community allow them time and space to grieve, support one another, and care for the two surviving family members.

Community members who wish to contribute financially can direct funds to two established sources. Bartley Funeral Home in Grand Saline is collecting donations to help cover immediate funeral expenses. A separate GoFundMe campaign is active to assist Cody and Grayson with the costs of rebuilding their lives following the loss of their home.

The families emphasized their gratitude for the local response while reiterating their need for privacy. The joint statement noted that continued prayers and compassion are welcomed, but the families need the time to process the events of last week and focus on the care of Cody and Grayson in the days ahead.