Lisa Autry (left) thanks her friend, Ashley Smith for the lighted angel given to her in memory of her sister, Katie Autry, shown in the framed picture. Katie Autry died Wednesday from injuries suffered in a fire May 4 in her Hugh Poland Hall dorm room on the campus of Western Kentucky University. Visitation continues for her today with funeral Monday. Photo by Miranda Pederson

BEAVER DAM Katie Autry, her sister, Lisa, and her cousin, Barbie White, once got into trouble for writing on the side of the house. When they got caught, they each said, It wasnt me. We had to wash it off, Lisa Autry, 17, said Saturday at the visitation for her sister at William L. Danks Funeral Home. The Western Kentucky University freshman died Wednesday due to complications following a fire in her Hugh Poland Hall dorm room May 4. Her death is being investigated as a homicide. Katie, Lisa and Barbie were known as the Three Musketeers by family members. When they played with dolls, they spent an hour dividing up the clothes, Barbie, 17, said. By the time that was settled, they didnt want to play anymore. Once, the three kids tried to take Barbies parents car for a joy ride. They only got as far as the ditch they backed into. Katie and Barbie liked to play tricks on Lisa, talking her into doing things she shouldnt like eat dog food. We were always sneaking to places we werent supposed to be, Barbie said. The trio made up games. One game was called Giant Rats. They would roll down a hill and save each other from the giant rats that they imagined came out of the garden. We just had a lot of fun when we were little, Barbie said. As Katie got older, she kept her child-like spirit. Her friends and family said they rarely saw her without a smile. If you were in a foul mood, shed do something to get you out of it, said one of her aunts, Barbara Stewart of Morgantown. You never seen her sad. Lisa Autry said Katie took care of her when she was sick, reading Snow White and the Seven Dwarves to her. She would do everything for me, Lisa Autry said. She was like the sweetest person. Lisa called Katie Big Sissie, though Katie wasnt too fond of the nickname. Because of her energy and fun-loving attitude, Katie fit right in with the younger children in her family. She loved kids, said Bobbi Hicks, one of Katies cousins. She wont ever be able to have her own kids. Her youngest cousins are still waiting for Katie to visit. You cant explain to a young one why Katie cant play with them, Stewart said. Lisa Autry said Katie loved to give her makeovers. When Katie came home a few weeks ago before Lisas prom, Katie gave her some new eyeshadow. Shes was beautiful all the time, Lisa said. She had the prettiest smile Ive ever seen. The teenaged Katie became very conscious of her looks and what she wore, White said. Katie was also worried about how Lisa and Barbie looked, painting their toes and helping with makeup. She wanted us to look as amazing as she did, even though she was so beautiful, Barbie said. If Lisa Autry ever got lost in a crowd or when playing outside, she told Katie to get someone to make her laugh. Lisa would be able to find her way back by listening to that laugh. Her laugh was original, Lisa Autry said. While Katie was in Vanderbilt University Medical Centers burn unit, she squeezed Lisas hand once. That was the happiest day of my life, Lisa Autry said. Barbie said being around Katie made her feel like she could be better than she is. She affected every person she met in one way or another, Barbie said. Virginia White, Barbie Whites mother, said everyone should cherish their loved ones. Theyll never know when that person could be taken from them, she said. Visitation for Autry continues today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. A memorial service is also scheduled for today at 2 p.m. at Pellville Baptist Church in Pellville. Funeral is 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. No further information has been released in the investigation, said university spokesman Bob Skipper. Taylor Loyal of the Daily News contributed to this story.