18-05-2025
Community servant, father of seven among victims killed in St. Louis storms
ST. LOUIS – At least five people died in the aftermath of Friday's storms in St. Louis, and FOX 2 is beginning to learn more about the victims. As of Saturday evening, family members and close friends have identified two of them.
One of the victims was Patricia Penelton, who died when the roof of Centennial Christian Church collapsed as an apparent EF-3 tornado ripped through St. Louis city's northside.
Centennial Christian Church, a historic landmark in north St. Louis, was severely damaged during the storm. The roof caved in, tragically killing Penelton. She was 74 years old and remembered beloved community member known for her selfless service.
'Ms. Pat was a selfless servant, a saint to the community,' said Alderman Shameem Clark Hubbard. 'How I met her was serving. She had what was called a 'God's Café'.
'She was a nice lady. She served the dishes,' recalled Marla Gossaus, a community member. 'I remember her giving me food or what not but it's just heartbreaking.'
'And I know her chili was like—it's the best in the world! The best I've ever tasted,' said Joseph Palm, highlighting Patricia's culinary skills.
City officials reported that Patricia Penelton ran back inside the church after seeing bricks fall, moments before the roof collapsed. Due to dispatch lines being down, calls to 911 did not go through, and people in the church called Alderman Hubbard directly.
Another victim who lost his lives in Friday's storms was Juan Baltazar, a 48-year-old father of seven, who died when a tree fell on his car on Grand Boulevard.
Baltazar was known for his food truck business and his work in construction. Residents in St. Louis are still without power following the storm, with many staying outside to keep cool. Concerns about safety and stability are growing among the community.
As the community mourns the loss of beloved members like Patricia Penelton and Juan Baltazar, efforts to support affected families continue. A GoFundMe is available to support the family of Baltazar.
All facts from this article were gathered by KTVI journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KTVI staff.
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