‘I just want to bury my son’

Mother seeks closure after son vanishes

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Lucy Combs says she believes her son is dead.

“I just want to be able to bury him,” she said. “Nobody knows what it’s like. This is the worst pain there ever was. I never thought I’d have to bury a child.”

Combs’ son, Jeffrey, 41, has been missing since Oct. 24. Detectives from the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department have been tracking leads connected with the missing person’s case for the past eight months – none have led them to the missing man.

“It’s a very active investigation and has been since the initial report,” said Capt. Steve Cabe of the Wilkes Sheriff’s Department. “There have been numerous leads received and checked out. At various times the entire Detective Division along with patrol officers have joined the search. So far we have not developed any evidence that would lead us to the discovery of Mr. Combs.”

Jeffrey Combs lived with his mother on Browns Waugh Street in North Wilkesboro. She told how her son had suffered a stroke last June and that he had limited use of his arms.

She also told how he had befriended some apparently homeless people who had been camping along the Reddies River not far from their home.

According to Ms. Combs, Jeffrey had met these people shortly before his disappearance and was apparently trying to help them by giving them a place to stay and feeding them.

But, when she came home from work around 11 o’clock the morning of Oct. 24, her son was gone. There were pork chops in a hot pan on the stove and she found wet tattered clothes that belonged to her son. He had left a note that his scooter and two helmets, along with a cell phone had been stolen.

“In the note he said he was gone to track it down and, ‘If I’m not back by dark, come looking for me,” she said.

Dark came and Jeffrey had not returned.

Ms. Combs and her other son, Jerry Combs Jr., 44, went looking for Jeffrey, but had no luck.

After she contacted investigators, deputies joined in the search. A couple of days after the disappearance, lawmen found the missing scooter near the river off Suncrest Orchard Road with pieces missing. They also located on of the missing helmets.

Detectives questioned possible witnesses. But the leads went nowhere.

Ms. Combs said she has walked the wooded path between her home and Suncrest Orchard Road many times since Jeffrey disappeared.

“I’ve looked in sewer pipes and ditches and everywhere.”

Describing her son, Ms. Combs said, “Years ago, he was a bashful person. He would give stuff to people instead of taking anything. He’d always do for you. If he saw you working, he’d jump in and help you. He raised a garden every year. He went to school to the ninth grade. He was a loner but a Momma’s boy.”

The man’s father, Jerry Combs, died 10 years ago. Jeffrey has just gotten out of prison the February before he went missing. He had served a 10.5-year term on conviction of assault and other charges that his mother said stemmed from alcohol use.

As for his physical appearance, she said that Jeffrey Combs had sandy-colored hair, blue eyes, weighed around 190 and stood around 5-6. He also wore a moustache and had a prison tattoo of barbed wire around his arm.

Cabe said that investigators are continuing to receive information related to the case.

“As late as last Thursday we received a lead,” Cabe said. “That lead has been checked partially and there is some other information that came about as the result of that lead. We are also checking that out. There probably has not been a week gone by that we have not received some kind of information. So far, everything has either been checked or is in the process of being checked.”

When asked if he suspected foul play, Cabe said, “At this point in time, we have not determined what happened in regards to Mr. Combs. We are treating the investigation as a missing person case, which is the way it was reported.”

Speaking of Combs’ mother’s concern that she will not find her son alive, Cabe said, “We have no substantiated information at this time to lead us to a body, if in fact he is deceased. Therefore, we’re having to treat is as a missing person investigation until we prove otherwise.

Ms. Combs says she just needs to know what happened.

“There’s been all kinds of stuff told about what had happened to him since he went missing,” she said. “I need to find his body. He has a place at Mount Lawn Cemetery. He don’t need to be lying out there somewhere like a dog in the woods.”

 

 

 

OliverFest draws crowds

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Hippie clothes, flowers, peace signs and music were all part of the inaugural OliverFest held in Downtown North Wilkesboro on Saturday.

OliverFest was a celebration of the music of William “Oliver” Swofford, who recorded the 1969 hit song “Good Morning Starshine.”

The event was the brainchild of Ted Brown, a native of Wilkes County, who knew Swofford.

Brown estimated that around 5,000 people turned out for the event.

"OliverFest was a huge success,” Brown said. “Of course, first year events usually don’t produce the numbers of subsequent events.  This year, the heat was a factor, so we’re considering making this a nighttime event for next year.  The great thing about moving to late evening is that you don’t disrupt the schedules of existing downtown businesses.  Everyone wins.  The merchants as well as their employees will have the opportunity to extend hours of operation or close at their usual time.  They will have the opportunity to attend just like everyone else.  I believe this is the way for us to go.  Of course, making this change will require town board approval.  However, I believe it is doable.  We even conducted a straw poll with the audience.  During the late evening and at the height of attendance, we asked the audience to vote on whether to keep the event during the day or move it to night.  The vote was unanimous… nighttime.”

Music was the primary focus of the festival. Britishmania headlined the afternoon of music from the 60’s and early 1970’s. Local bands Crusher Run, Sonny Remington and Steve Englebert, Rude Mood and Ed Sturdivant and OFX performed earlier in the day.

Wilkes County Cruisers showed many classic cars, several groups sold food, while others set up informational tents.

Contests were another aspect of the festival.

The first contest of the day, Good Morning Starshine, required contestants to sing the song of the same name that was made popular by Oliver. Libby Haynes was the winner of the Good Morning Starshine Contest.

The 1960s Costume Contest first place winner was Helen Clark with Mandy Brown placing second.  The crowd enjoyed seeing both ladies dressed in their costumes. 

The Pantomime Contest allowed contestants to pantomime or lip sync any song from the 1950s, 1960s or 1970s.  Barbara Hall was the winner or the Pantomime Contest for her portrayal of Chubby Checkers famous song, The Twist.   

The Talent Contest had the most contestants of any other contest and the competition was varied – each contestant excelled in their own talent.  Milton Scott was the first place winner.  Milton Scott performed Green Beret on his harmonica.  Libby Haynes won second place by performing and singing the song Me & Bobby McGee.

The Dance Contest was the last contest of the day and partners danced to a variety of songs from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.  The couple who won first place for the Dance Contest was JoAnn Call and Milton Scott.  Second place winners were Robert Johnson and Barbara Hall. 

Brenda Shepherd, one of the festival organizers, coordinated the contests and recruited emcees, stage crew and judges for the contests, all of whom were volunteers.  Each contest had three judges and judges included Lynn Day, Charles Ellis, Suzanne Hamby, Millie Hudson, Joyce Johnson, Joel Landsberg, Bobby Martin, Stephanie Poole, Lois Sale, Laura Shepherd, and Leigh Shepherd.  Laura Shepherd, Monica Shepherd, and Stephanie Poole served as emcees, sound and stage crew while Tabitha Bynum assisted at the registration table. 

Most of all the festival was about William Oliver Swofford.

“We had a great artist to honor,” Brown said. “Bill Swofford is a North Wilkesboro treasure and his life and music are worthy of remembrance.  Being talented, famous and humble is an enormous balancing act; however, he pulled it off.  And, he is an easy promotion because he laid the groundwork.  The beautiful thing about honoring Bill Swofford, or rather Oliver, is that we also honor four brothers who have given much to North Carolina.”

Brown added, “As for my role, I had the wonderful experience.  Working with professionals such as Wade Holloway, Brenda Shepherd, Ken Welborn and Sam Hinnant is in itself rewarding.  Of course, others helped, but this group made it fun.”

He continued, “Our music groups were outstanding, too.  Crusher Run, Rude Mood, Eddie Sturdivant and OFX, and Sonny Remington and Steve Englebert were at the top of their game.  And, Britishmania… the Beatles tribute band from New Jersey, was the crown jewel that capped off the evening. This was the beginning of great things to come for North Wilkesboro.”

 

 

 

Local Shriner rides 1079 miles for Children's Hospital  
By REBECCA TRIPLETT-JOHNSON

For The Record

      "Life is a highway, I wanna ride it all night long", are the words to a popular song.  But, to Todd Trivette, life mimicked art during his generous act of kindness that led him to ride into the night for the lives of many children who will be helped with life saving medical treatment at the more than 20 North American Shriner's Hospitals with money raised by his journey.
    As past President of the Blue Ridge Shrine Club, Trivette continues to have much passion for the outreach and good deeds that the Shriners do year round. He remains a very active member in the organization.
    Last year he came up with an idea to spur interest and shine a light on the vast efforts of the Shriner's Hospitals for Children while raising money for their growing financial needs.  He used Google Map to plot a course that would include 1,000 miles of interstate travel in an all inclusive route. The first annual 1,000 mile ride was born.  In 2008, Trivette completed his maiden trip which brought in much needed donations for the hospitals. 
    On Sunday, June 14, Trivette and fellow Shriner, Brent Higgins, of Clemmons, and friend, Lyman Williams, of Morganton, set out to complete another marathon in the second annual 1,000 mile ride.
    After working all day Saturday as Sales Manager at Cross Roads Harley-Davidson, Trivette went to bed only an hour earlier than usual to prepare for the monolithic ride.  At 3 a.m. the day started with packing bare necessities for the trip into the side case storage areas on the fully dressed, Harley-Davidson, Ultra Classic bikes.  The trio of riders on their V twin, 4 stroke machines headed out on the highway at 5 a.m. Sunday morning. 
    Only interstate riding would allow for speed limit and connecting routes to complete the 1,000 mile run within 24 hours.  From Wilkesboro the trio rode south to Charlotte, before heading west to Atlanta, Ga., and on to Birmingham, Ala., at which time they turned north riding into Nashville, Tenn., before heading back east to Morganton, and finally back home to Wilkesboro.  At journey's end as the clock struck midnight, the tripometers read 1,079 miles and the group clocked in under 24 hours with a start to finish time of 19 hours.  Stops were made only to fuel up the six gallon tanks, grab short bites to eat and enough fluids to keep safely hydrated.
    For the second year in a row, Trivette and his gallant band of knights on their shining iron horses met their goal of a safe and complete ride and raised upwards of $4,000 for the Shriner's Hospital for Children, North American health systems. 
     "I really wanted to do all that I could to help keep the much needed health care available to the kids. With the economy being what it is now, much of the donations are way down from what they were in previous years", stated Trivette.  "Children are still in need of critical and specialized care everyday while funding is running out for some of the hospitals. 
      The hospital in Greenville, S.C., which is an orthopedic treatment facility, is in danger of being the first Shriner's hospital to be shut down because of the economy and lack of funds.

No child is ever turned away from treatment at any of the hospitals which specialize in both burn and orthopedic emergencies and care.  The Greenville hospital is the closest one to us.  A meeting is scheduled for next month to discuss options and plans for the future of the Greenville campus and other possible hospital closures.  
      I created this ride in hopes it would bring attention to the purpose of the hospitals and to the plight they are now forced to face in light of much less donations than usual.  Brent and Lyman were excited to get on board with me for this year's ride as we set out to make 1,000 miles in 24 hours.  After about the half way mark it starts to get much easier, believe it or not.  We only had a small rain shower to drive through for about two and a half hours with perfect weather the rest of the trip.  Last year was a much more difficult and wet ride with over 450 miles of rain.  We pay for everything ourselves including gas and food.
      Through private and corporate donations we raised $4,000.  I really appreciate that so much from everyone who helped out.  All of the money goes directly to the hospitals and is a non-profit tax deductible donation.  Anyone who would like to make a donation of any amount can still do so by sending a check to Blue Ridge Shrine Club, PO Box 1504, North Wilkesboro NC 28659.
       “Throughout the trip I was in cell phone contact with my perfect wife Tammy who really helped to make the trip much easier to withstand.  I was really glad to see her when I got home.  Although I was tired, I was so glad we were safe and able to help raise the money.  The 1,000 mile ride will be an annual event that I look forward to continuing each year," concluded Trivette.
     As the Shriner's Hospitals for Children find themselves in critical need of finance, more and more children are in critical need of care.  Once the emergency is handled, weeks, months and years of rehabilitation and follow up treatment, sometimes including multiple surgeries, can be part of life saving treatments for the young patients. 
     Statistics provided by Shriner's show over the past 86 years, Shriners Hospitals for Children has provided the best, most advanced medical care, at absolutely no charge, to more than 865,000 children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate. This unique health system has grown from a single hospital in Shreveport, La., to 22 sophisticated pediatric specialty hospitals located across the U.S., and in Canada and Mexico.
     Shriners Hospitals' total budget for 2008 was $826 million, of which $722 million was targeted for operating expenses (including $44 million for research). The budget also included $104 million for buildings and equipment, which includes funds for building renovations, new construction, and improving and upgrading medical technologies, such as digital radiology and electronic medical records.
     Children in need of medical heroes have been able to find them at Shriner's Hospitals for many years.  Through the selfless and tireless actions of Trivette, Higgins and Williams three new heroes have emerged to help raise awareness and funding for many more years of outstanding care for many more wonderful children.

 

 

 

Rodeo coming to town

The annual East Coast Sanctioned Championship Pro Rodeo will be held on Friday and Saturday, July 10 and July 11.

The event will feature an array of rodeo competitions including bronco riding, calf roping, bull riding and more. It will be held at the Rotary Fair Grounds at Worth Tomlinson Park next to West Park on the 421 Bypass in North Wilkesboro.

The rodeo will begin each evening at 8 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. The event also offers free sheep rides for children

Admission for adults is $12 and $6 for children 5 to 12. Children under 5 will be admitted free.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For award winning sports coverage subscribe to The Record

 

 

 

 

 

Community Happenings

BLAST, Believers Living and Sharing Truth Youth Ministries, presents God Rock 2009 on August 15 from 5 p.m. – until.  Free admission and concessions will be available.  The location will be at Truth Community Church, located at 5757 US Highway 421 in Wilkesboro.  This is an outdoor concert. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Please, no coolers.  For more details, visit www.mygodrock.com.

 

Wilkes County Retired School Personnel will meet on June 24 at 11:30 a.m. at the North Wilkesboro Elks Lodge. The program and business will begin at noon.  The program will be presented by Terry Garwood, Surry County agricultural agent. He works with grapes and vineyards. 

 

Women’s Day will be held at Mt. Valley Baptist Church, located off Old Wilkes-Yadkin Road in Ronda, on June 28 beginning at 2:30 p.m.  Special guest speaker will be Ms. Flossie Johnson.

 

A&D Car Care, located on 113 Sparta Road in Fairplains will sponsor a fundraiser to assist Wilkes ADAP, Inc.  Starting on Saturday, June 20 – Friday, June 26, half of all the proceeds earned from car washes will be donated to Wilkes ADAP, Inc.  The mission of Wilkes ADAP is to provide the necessary services and supports to enable adults with developmental disabilities to become full participating members of the community.  “When you have your car cleaned at A&D, you are supporting Wilkes ADAP.  Thanks for supporting this great cause.

 

On June 28, Arbor Grove United Methodist Church will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the current sanctuary building.  The public is invited to come celebrate at the 140 year-year-old Arbor Grove Church, and the years to come in the church’s new fellowship hall.  Such an event takes more than one Sunday to celebrate, so the church will dedicate several events (June through December) to commemorate it.  The June 28 celebration will feature old time gospel music and BBQ chicken sandwich meals for $5. 

 

The Junaluska Singers will be appearing in concert on Monday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in North Wilkesboro. The public is invited to come to the event. The church is located at the corner of 6^th and D streets in North Wilkesboro.

 

Union United Methodist Church, located above the animal hospital on the left, will sponsor a chicken-que on Saturday, June 27, beginning at 10:30 a.m.  Plates are $7.00 each and curbside will be provided.

 

A BBQ Chicken Supper will be held at Fairplains Senior Center on Saturday, June 27, starting at 6 p.m. Plates are $6.00 each. Also, a gospel singing and silent auction will be conducted. All proceeds benefit “Miss CAG”.