UVALDE — Kelly Baker snipped long green stems on Wednesday morning at her small floral shop and tucked white carnations, hydrangeas and larkspurs into a basket for a man whose daughter was murdered at school.
Meanwhile, the phones at The Flower Patch on Getty Street near downtown kept ringing and ringing.
Baker, 44, picked up a call.
“Flower Patch,” she said from her busy work station. “It’s been a rough morning.”
It’s been a day since a gunman slaughtered 19 children and two adults at Robb Elementary School.
On HoustonChronicle.com: Live updates from the deadly school shooting in Uvalde
Now, as heartbreak and devastation ripple through the tight-knit community, the florist and her small team are preparing for a daunting task. They must fill a cascade of orders from grieving friends and family members, coordinate with people offering help from across the country and create floral arrangements for the impending funerals and memorials for scores of small children.
“These babies, their lives are gone — and it’s tragic,” Baker said. “And then having to put flowers on babies’ caskets – that’s just something no one should ever have to do.”
Florists from San Antonio, just east of here, and beyond are stepping in to help with the overwhelming demand. People were on their way to Uvalde with flowers in hand.
“The outpouring is insane,” Baker said. “I’ve already had four florists call me and say ‘We’re driving down. We’re just going to donate our time.’”
On HoustonChronicle.com: Uvalde school shooting: What we know about the 21 victims, including 19 kids, so far
Another florist asked Baker what kind of flowers she wanted and told her she’d be there with the supplies after lunchtime. “I said ‘Anything — I’ll take anything,’” Baker said.
The shop was not expected its once-a-week shipment of flowers until Thursday, she said, and they do not have enough flowers to meet the needs of the community.
Typically, the start of summer vacation marks a slowdown for the flower industry, Baker said. A wall-to-wall calendar in her shop marks important upcoming holidays with a red asterisk. There was nothing significant expected between Mother’s Day and Memorial Day.
“We weren’t prepared for this,” she said. “Of course, you can’t prepare for this. I don’t have a clue. I just know I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and hope that it’s the best we can do for these families.”
Baker, whose blonde hair was pulled back in a bun as she worked, said she bought the floral shop roughly 10 years ago after leaving a career in accounting.
Mary Frances Zavala, meanwhile, began working at the shop a month ago. It was a dream job, she said, and her teenage daughters loved that she came home smelling like flowers. Still, she was learning even as she pitched in with the unprecedented task at hand.
Baker and Zavala said they heard reports about the deadly shooting on Tuesday through text messages before media outlets began reporting on the massacre. They saw police swarm to the scene.
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Parishioners mourn at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on May 25, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. On May 24, 21 people were killed, including 19 children, during a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. The shooter, identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, was reportedly killed by law enforcement. (Photo by Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images)
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The archbishop of San Antonio, Gustavo Garcia-Siller, comforts families outside the Civic Center following a deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)
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Mireyah Chavez, 10, center, a student at Robb Elementary School who was present during the shooting, is comforted during a prayer vigil at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday night, May 24, 2022. Harrowing details began to emerge Wednesday of the massacre inside a Texas elementary school, as anguished families learned whether their children were among those killed by an 18-year-old gunman?•s rampage in the city of Uvalde hours earlier. (Christopher Lee/The New York Times)
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A girl cries, comforted by two adults, outside the Willie de Leon Civic Center where grief counseling will be offered in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022.
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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke speaks to the media after interrupting a press conference held by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on May 25, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. 21 people were killed, including 19 children, during a mass shooting on May 24 at Robb Elementary School.
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6of 47 UVALDE, TX – MAY 25: In this aerial view, law enforcement works on scene at Robb Elementary School where at least 21 people were killed yesterday, including 19 children, on May 25, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. The shooter, identified as 18 year old Salvador Ramos, was reportedly killed by law enforcement. Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images Show More Show Less
7of 47 UVALDE, TEXAS – MAY 25: A law enforcement officer stands outside the Robb Elementary School on May 25, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, during the mass shooting, 19 students and 2 adults were killed, with the gunman, identified as 18 year old Salvador Ramos, fatally shot by law enforcement. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Show More Show Less
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People mourn outside of the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas.
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Law enforcement officers speak together outside of Robb Elementary School following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas.
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10of 47 Children leave the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center, where families awaited news of their children after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. Twenty one people died, including 19 children. Godofredo A. Vásquez/Staff photographer Show More Show Less
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A girl cries outside the Willie de Leon Civic Center where grief counseling will be offered in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022.
ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images Show More Show Less
12of 47 Susanna Lujano cries into her husband Luis Varela’s chest during a press conference calling for gun control measures after the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at the George Thomas “Mickey” Leland Federal Building in Houston. Varela said the couple just had their first child. “So you know it hits really close,” he said. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Show More Show Less
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People grieve outside the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center, where the community has gathered in the wake of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas.
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14of 47 A man leaves the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center, where families awaited news of their children after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. Twenty one people died, including 19 children. Godofredo A. Vásquez/Staff photographer Show More Show Less
15of 47 A woman and a girl comfort one another at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, where a gunman shot and killed numerous people on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Billy Calzada/San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less
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A woman cries Tuesday May 24, 2022 as she leaves the Uvalde Civic Center. At least 14 students and 1 teacher were killed will a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
William Luther/San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less
17of 47 A woman with a rosary in her hand his a child Tuesday, May 24, 2022 outside the Uvalde civic center where parents were being reunited with their children after at least 14 students and 1 teacher were killed when a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less
18of 47 Janette Garza-Lindner, right, hugs Kathy Blueford-Daniels, an HISD trustee, after a press conference calling for gun control measures after the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at the George Thomas “Mickey” Leland Federal Building in Houston. Blueford-Daniels lost her son to gun violence almost 16 years ago. “I’m a broken mother,” she said. Blueford-Daniels said she still sleeps with her son’s pillow. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Show More Show Less
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Law enforcement officials work Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Uvalde High School after a shooting was reported earlier in the day at nearby Robb Elementary School.
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Members of the community gather at the City of Uvalde Town Square for a prayer vigil in the wake of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas.
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21of 47 People wait outside the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center, where families awaited news of their children after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. Twenty one people died, including 19 children. Godofredo A. Vásquez/Staff photographer Show More Show Less
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People sit on the curb outside of Robb Elementary School as State troopers guard the area in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022.
ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images Show More Show Less
23of 47 A woman cries while walking away from the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center, where families awaited news of their children after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. Twenty one people died, including 19 children. Godofredo A. Vásquez/Staff photographer Show More Show Less
24of 47 Kathy Blueford-Daniels, an HISD trustee, holds a candle during a press conference and vigil for victims of the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at the George Thomas “Mickey” Leland Federal Building in Houston. Blueford-Daniels lost her son to gun violence almost 16 years ago. “I’m a broken mother,” she said. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Show More Show Less
25of 47 Susanna Lujano cries during a press conference calling for gun control measures after the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at the George Thomas “Mickey” Leland Federal Building in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Show More Show Less
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People leave the Uvalde Civic Center Tuesday, May 24, 2022. At least 14 students and 1 teacher were killed when a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Students from the school were evacuated to the civic center.
William Luther/San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less
27of 47 A distraught man paces at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, where a gunman shot and killed numerous people on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Billy Calzada/San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less
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People are helped crossing the street to Uvalde Memorial Hospital, where several people believed to be hurt in a shooting at or near a school are being treated in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. A large police presence at the hospital was keeping most people out.
Billy Calzada/San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less
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A woman and a child leave the Uvalde Civic Center Tuesday May 24, 2022. At least 14 students and 1 teacher were killed will a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
William Luther/San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less
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A family comforts one another as they leave Uvalde Memorial Hospital, where several people believed to be hurt in a shooting at a school are being treated in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. A large police presence at the hospital was keeping most people out.
Billy Calzada/San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less
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A woman cries Tuesday May 24, 2022 as she leaves the Uvalde Civic Center. At least 14 students and 1 teacher were killed will a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
William Luther/San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less
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A law enforcement officer tells people Tuesday afternoon, May 24, 2022 that Uvalde High School is secure after a school shooting at the nearby Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
William Luther/San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less
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The American flag, the California flag, and City of Anaheim flag are lowered to half staff during a moment of silence for the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, prior to the baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 24, 2022 in Anaheim, California.
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A family grieves outside of the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images Show More Show Less
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UVALDE, TEXAS – MAY 25: Community member Amanda Welch brings flowers to lay at Robb Elementary School on May 25, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, during the mass shooting, 19 students and 2 adults were killed, with the gunman fatally shot by law enforcement. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
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UVALDE, TEXAS – MAY 25: A family brings flowers to lay at Robb Elementary School on May 25, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, during the mass shooting, 19 students and 2 adults were killed, with the gunman fatally shot by law enforcement. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
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UVALDE, TX – MAY 25: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) looks on as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a press conference at Uvalde High School on May 25, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. On May 24, 21 people were killed, including 19 children, during a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. The shooter, identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, was reportedly killed by law enforcement. (Photo by Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images)
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UVALDE, TX – MAY 25: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) looks on during a press conference at Uvalde High School on May 25, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. On May 24, 21 people were killed, including 19 children, during a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. The shooter, identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, was reportedly killed by law enforcement. (Photo by Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images)
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UVALDE, TEXAS – MAY 25: A family waits to lay flowers at Robb Elementary School on May 25, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, during the mass shooting, 19 students and 2 adults were killed, with the gunman fatally shot by law enforcement. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
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UVALDE, TX – MAY 25: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a press conference at Uvalde High School on May 25, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. On May 24, 21 people were killed, including 19 children, during a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. The shooter, identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, was reportedly killed by law enforcement. (Photo by Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images)
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UVALDE, TX – MAY 25: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke speaks to the media after interrupting a press conference held by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott at Uvalde High School on May 25, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. 21 people were killed, including 19 children, during a mass shooting on May 24 at Robb Elementary School. The shooter, identified as 18 year old Salvador Ramos, was reportedly killed by law enforcement. (Photo by Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images)
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Catholic faithful attend a Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde Texas, on May 25, 2022, one day after a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary school. – The tight-knit Latino community of Uvalde was wracked with grief Wednesday after a teen in body armor marched into the school and killed 19 children and two teachers, in the latest spasm of deadly gun violence in the US. (Photo by allison dinner / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images)
ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images Show More Show Less
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Catholic faithful depart after a Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde Texas, on May 25, 2022, one day after a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary school. – The tight-knit Latino community of Uvalde was wracked with grief Wednesday after a teen in body armor marched into the school and killed 19 children and two teachers, in the latest spasm of deadly gun violence in the US. (Photo by allison dinner / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images)
ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images Show More Show Less
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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke interrupts Texas Governor Greg Abbott during a press conference to provide updates on the Uvalde elementary school shooting, at Uvalde High School in Uvalde, Texas on May 25, 2022. – The tight-knit Latino community of Uvalde was wracked with grief Wednesday after a teen in body armor marched into the school and killed 19 children and two teachers, in the latest spasm of deadly gun violence in the US. (Photo by allison dinner / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images)
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UVALDE, TX – MAY 25: In this aerial view, law enforcement works on scene at Robb Elementary School where at least 21 people were killed yesterday, including 19 children, on May 25, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. The shooter, identified as 18 year old Salvador Ramos, was reportedly killed by law enforcement. (Photo by Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images)
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott with other officials, holds a press conference to provide updates on the Uvalde elementary school shooting, at Uvalde High School in Uvalde, Texas on May 25, 2022. – The tight-knit Latino community of Uvalde was wracked with grief Wednesday after a teen in body armor marched into the school and killed 19 children and two teachers, in the latest spasm of deadly gun violence in the US. (Photo by allison dinner / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images)
ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images Show More Show Less
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UVALDE, TEXAS – MAY 24: A family grieves outside of the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, 19 students and 2 adults were killed, with the gunman fatally shot by law enforcement. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
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Since then, Baker said she has seen the faces of the missing or dead children in wrenching Facebook posts and recognized some of the family’s last names.
“It is such a small town,” she said. “If I don’t know the mom or the dad — I usually know the aunt or the cousin or the grandmother.”
Zavala felt the same way. Eva Mireles, a teacher slain in the shooting, was an acquaintance who went to the same gym, Zavala said.
“She loved to run – she was always running,” Zavala said. “We would see her on the street.”
Zavala said some of her family members are teachers at Anthon Elementary School, located less than 3 miles from the gunman’s destination.
“So you know,” she said, “it could have been any of us.”
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The Uvalde school massacre
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