I recently attended the funeral of Tommy Brailey, as did Brent Gracia's mother and friend. We were there to support the Brailey family and unfortunately are a part of the missing persons community, one none of us chose or wanted to be a member of.
We are overjoyed for the Brailey family to find peace and lay Tommy to rest. It's a special blessing for Tommy's parents to have this closure, as they are elderly and his father is in poor health, and for sister, Shelia, who worked tirelessly, walking in faith.
As joyous as this chapter is, it is a reminder that there are many loved ones still missing in Sumter County with family and friends praying for a resolve for their cases. Among them is my friend, Barbara Nave, who went missing Feb. 9 of 2017. The 31st will be Barbara's birthday, and February will mark eight long years missing. Under South Carolina law, after seven years, assets can be dissolved and individuals declared deceased. Barbara's case is troubling and does not meet the usual profile of age, lifestyle, etc. In many cases, there are those who have information but for whatever reason remain silent. For those, I encourage you to come forward to either a family member or law enforcement.
When Tommy was found there were 281 missing in our state alone. With the recent recovery of Tommy and William Black for Camden, the number is now reduced by two, but within a short time the number will rise again and another family will be left scarred.
Since we have no "cold case" unit in Sumter, I am closely following proposed legislation of "Alexis Ware Missing Persons Act." If this passes it will be a HUGE game changer for families still missing loved ones and will provide a new avenue and eyes for cases that have been shelved.
I have a renewed hope since Tommy and William Black's cases have been resolved, both of which date back to 2017. Hope is a door left open. All things will be revealed in God's time.
I ask that the Sumter community pray for the missing and the families that are left in limbo.
KATHLEEN KREKLAU
Sumter
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