Mother of fallen Savannah soldier Breonna Moffett says 'she was just the light of everything'

Amy Paige Condon, Savannah Morning News
·4 min read
2
Breonna Moffett after completing her initial U.S. Army Reserve training.
Breonna Moffett after completing her initial U.S. Army Reserve training.

Francine Moffett was getting ready for church on Sunday, when her husband Percell came upstairs to tell her two men in uniform were at the door of their southside Savannah home.

"I just knew at that moment, when he said that, my baby was gone... I ran downstairs as fast as I could and just to see the two guys that was standing in my living room, and he was telling me that Breonna was gone," recalled Francine, who dissolved into tears.

Breonna Moffett, top right, with her siblings, including Keonna, top left, her younger sister by 15 months.
Breonna Moffett, top right, with her siblings, including Keonna, top left, her younger sister by 15 months.

Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, the oldest of Francine and Percell Moffett's four children, had only recently turned 23 years old when a she and two other U.S. Army reservists were killed in Jordan on Jan. 28, after a drone strike on their container housing unit at a support base known as Tower 22. More than 40 other soldiers who had been aiding in the containment of ISIS near the Syrian border also were injured, according to the U.S. Department of Defense, which continues to investigate the suspected Iran-backed attack.

Fallen Sodier: Savannah resident killed by drone strike in Jordan receives community remembrance, condolences

Attack in Jordan: Savannah Army reservist among three soldiers killed in drone attack in Jordan

Breonna enlisted in 2019 upon graduation from Windsor Forest High School, where she excelled in math and reading, served as a drum major and participated in the JROTC. In the U.S. Army Reserves, Breonna served as a specialist, just like her mom, who retired from the military a few years ago and now works in real estate. Breonna liked the idea of getting a free education and had considered working in the medical field or real estate after serving. Francine had just mailed Breonna a book about real estate to see if it was something her daughter might like to give a shot. She was still exploring what might be her passion, said Francine.

Breonna Moffett on her graduation from Windsor Forest High School, where she excelled in reading and math.
Breonna Moffett on her graduation from Windsor Forest High School, where she excelled in reading and math.

Breonna was assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion and 926th Engineer Brigade out of Fort Moore near Columbus, Georgia. As a 12N Horizontal Construction Sergeant, Breonna operated heavy earth-moving equipment, such as dozers, graters, backhoes and front-loaders, according to a DOD spokeswoman. Her unit was deployed in August 2023, according to Francine, and she was expected to return home to Savannah in July or August of this year.

Francine and Breonna talked or texted every day. Knowing she will never listen to her daughter recount her day on the other end of the line or hear her daughter call out "Mom!" coming through the door seems unimaginable, even though she's had to live with that reality for two days now.

"We literally did not hardly miss a day. If we missed the day, it's because she was maybe in a drill, but we didn't miss it," Francine said.

Breonna Moffett
Breonna Moffett

What she will miss most, however, is Breonna's smile. "She was just the light of everything. She just walked in the room and she just commanded attention. That was her smile. When she smiled you smiled. She was just a very beautiful, smart, intelligent young lady. She just loved her friends. She just loved life."

Even as a child, Breonna was bright and curious. "It was like a thousand questions. I remember when I had to take her to pre-K," Francine said, laughing, "every morning, we'd get into the vehicle... she would literally talk for 30 minutes. She asked questions. She did not give you time to answer the question. She would just continue, every single morning... And you just had to listen to her and try to explain, because she had to have the understanding. It was like that every morning."

Beginning in fourth grade at Windsor Forest Elementary, Breonna Moffett played saxophone in the school band. She was a drum major with the Mighty Windsor Forest Marching Knights in high school.
Beginning in fourth grade at Windsor Forest Elementary, Breonna Moffett played saxophone in the school band. She was a drum major with the Mighty Windsor Forest Marching Knights in high school.

Since the news of Breonna's death started spreading, Breonna's friends, former teachers and bandmates have stopped by the house. Breonna's alma mater will honor her on Thursday. On Friday, the family will travel to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for Breonna's homecoming.

As she navigates her own grief while helping her husband and children through theirs, Francine leans into her faith. "We still pray to God and ask Him for the strength to carry on. You know, for understanding, even though we may never understand."

Amy Paige Condon is a content coach and editor the for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach her at ACondon@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Mother of fallen Savannah soldier recalls daughters smile, curiosity