EPISODE 143 | From Tragedy to Legacy: Shirl Baker on Honoring DeEbony Groves and Helping Grieving Moms Heal
In this powerful conversation, Shirl Baker shares how she transformed unimaginable grief into purpose through the DeEbony Groves Foundation. Learn how faith, love, and community can help grieving parents heal and how you can support their journey.
Watch Shirl Baker’s interview on Human Amplified with Brandi Fleck on YouTube.
Listen to Shirl Baker's Story of Grief and Healing Through Her Daughter's Legacy
About Episode 143
What would you do if the unthinkable happened—and you had to keep living?
In this hope-filled conversation, Shirl Baker opens up about losing her daughter, DeEbony Groves, in the 2018 Waffle House shooting in Antioch, Tennessee. She shares the raw truth of that day, how the grief carved a permanent wound in her soul—and how faith, scripture, and service gave her the strength to survive.
Shirl didn’t find healing through traditional grief counseling. Instead, she founded the DeEbony Groves Foundation to help other grieving mothers reclaim joy through healing retreats, pampering weekends, and red carpet moments to honor their lost children.
This is a story about love over bitterness, about community over isolation, and about what it truly means to keep hope alive.
We talk about
10:35 – The day Shirl’s life changed forever
14:06 – Turning to scripture instead of counseling
21:50 – Why she never felt bitterness toward her daughter’s killer
27:50 – The quiet heroism of James Shaw Jr.
32:35 – Creating The D’Ebony Groves Foundation: healing through joy
45:01 – How mothers (and soon, fathers) can get involved
50:57 – Shirl’s message of resilience and hope for those still grieving
Episode 143 is for You If...
You find yourself asking questions such as:
What does grief look like after the loss of a child to gun violence?
Why did Shirl choose scripture over therapy?
What is the mission of the DeEbony Groves Foundation?
How do the foundation’s retreats support grieving mothers?
What does it take to forgive when forgiveness seems impossible?
What’s next for the foundation—including support for grieving fathers?
How can we find purpose after profound pain?
You Might Also Want to Listen to: Building Social Awareness through Natural Skincare After a 2014 Shooting in Ferguson, MO
Read the Interview Transcript - Episode 143
Read the full episode transcript here.
Links and Resources - Episode 143
Website: https://deebonygrovesfoundation.org/
Facebook: The DeEbony Groves Foundation
Cash App Donations: $Hope4TheFuture42218
Email: hope4thefuture42218@gmail.com
Mailing Address for Check Donations: P.O. Box 1023, Gallatin, TN 37066
You can also stop by any Regions Bank branch and let them know you’d like to donate to The DeEbony Groves Foundation to support this important work.
The news story with explicit details. Watch at your own discretion.
Support the Show - Episode 143
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EPISODE CREDITS: Original intro and outro music by Ryan Sauls. Episode creation and graphics by Brandi Fleck. Editing by Natasha Rivera. Sound effects from zapslat.com. Bio and photos provided by Shirl Baker.
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Hi, I’m your podcast host, Brandi Fleck. I’m a recognized communications and interviewing expert, a writer, an artist, and a private practice, certified trauma-informed life coach and Reiki healer. No matter how you interact with me, I help you tell and change your story so you can feel more like yourself. So welcome!
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