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Lucrece Phillips and her family survived Hurricane Katrina by sheltering in the attic

Her daughter began writing their names on the ceiling, but Phillips knew they'd survive

Despite continuous tragedy, the love of family eventually brought her back home

Lucrece Phillips was still in a body cast after undergoing neck and back surgery when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in August 2005.

As she and her family sought shelter in their attic from the rising floodwaters, Phillips’ daughter began writing their names on the ceiling, so their bodies could be identified if it came to that.

But Phillips, a 62-year-old poet and hairstylist, recalls telling her, "'Oh no. We're going to get out of this.' "

“Just that defiant spirit in me refused to die.” she tells PEOPLE.

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