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Please visit the new page added to the site in honor of
Jamie's Tenth Heaven Day Anniversary.
In Loving
Memory
James
William McCombs,Jr.
February
12, 1973 - May 12, 1998
We Love and Miss You!
James William McCombs, Jr. "Jamie" was born Feburary 12, 1973, two days after the biggest snowfall on record for our town of Greenwood, S.C. He was a beautiful baby with thick black hair, dark brown eyes and the longest eyelashes you ever saw! He was an easy baby with very few problems. Perfect for a first child. He did most everything early, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, talking and walking. He was the light of our lives.
Two and a half years later, his brother , Michael, was born and our happiness was complete. Jamie was very protective of his younger brother, even though they had a fierce sibiling rivalry going up until the past few years. Jamie grew into a fine man. He was loving and generous. He was very devoted to his friends, and he had many. Jamie was the kind of person who didn't notice the outside of people, he saw what was inside, in their hearts. He loved animals and children, and both had an uncanny attraction to him. He loved the outdoors and one of his greatest pleasures was fishing. He couldn't wait for spring every year so he could get out there and start fishing!
His greatest desire though was to find a wife and start a family. Jamie had wanted children since HE was a child! However, the woman that did have his child ended up being his and his baby's undoing. In the 11 months that his daughter, Ashley Marie, lived , he never once got to see her in person or hold her. He got a few pictures and promises but that was all. He was so excited when he found out that he was going to be a dad! He bought baby clothes and bottles. He would have made a wonderful dad. The photo on the right is Ashley Marie.
After he was killed, I found Ashley's ultrasound in his photo album. How he wanted that little girl! Ashley was born Dec.11,1996. She died Nov. 22, 1997. Jamie was devastated. We were told it was SIDS, which sounded suspicious to us. We found after Jamie's death, that it was not SIDS, but asphyxiation. Jamie was murdered on May 12, 1998. I found his body in his home on the morning of May 13, 1998. The two people arrested for his murder are, Rebecca, the mother of his child and the person she had recently married, Allen. They had been married only a couple of months when Ashley died.
This is one of my favorite photographs of Jamie because it shows his love of children. He is holding Christopher, Mandy's baby.
Last
night while I was trying to sleep,
My son's voice I did hear.
I opened my eyes and looked around
But he did not appear.
He said, "Mama you've got to listen,
You've got to understand,
God didn't take me from you, Mama,
He only took my hand.
When I called out in pain that night,
The instant that I died,
He reached down and took my hand,
And pulled me to His side.
He pulled me up and saved me
From the misery and pain.
My body was hurt so badly inside,
I could never be the same.
My search is really over now,
I've found happiness within.
All the answers to my empty dreams
And all that might have been.
I love you so and miss you so,
And I'll always be nearby.
My body's gone forever,
But my spirit will never die!
And so, you must go on now,
Live one day at a time.
Just understand-
God did not take me from you,
He only took my hand."
Author Unknown
This photo is a special gift from my husband, Billy, and my son, Michael
I had been asking "my guys" for two years
to have a portrait done of the three of them, for a Mother's Day gift.
Time ran out after last Mother's Day.
Billy and Michael secretly had their photo done and Jamie added by computer.
It will always be my special treasure.Twenty
Five Years
Twenty
Five Years
Twenty Five Years were all we had
What of the future?
What of your children,
Laughing and glad?
What of tomorrow
With all of it's promise?
What of your voice
Saying that precious word, Mama?
Gone now, still and cold
Your radiant smile
Your loving embrace
Your beautiful soul.
Twenty Five Years.
So much lost, my beloved Son.
Written by Karen
I Lost My Child
Today
I lost my child today.
I lost my child last month.
I lost my child last year.
Time has not moved on for me.
Netta Wilson ~ ~ 1996 To visit a very special page, click on the feather above. Left to
right..Jamie, Cissy (Jamie's cousin) Rhonda (Michael's fiance),
Michael. Standing Heather (Jamie's girlfriend), Mandy (Cissy's
sister) and Brian, Mandy's husband.
The Year
They tell me that it's been a year...I'm not sure.
The Rest of His Story
When memories of you haunt me each day,
I have a friend
Melissa,
Thank you for these beautiful awards. I am honored. You Don't Have To Grieve Alone
People came to weep and cry,
As I just sat and stared, dry eyed.
They struggled to find words to say,
To try and make the pain go away,
I walked the floor in disbelief,
I lost my child today.
Most of the people went away,
Some still call and some still stay.
I wait to wake up from this dream.
This can't be real. I want to scream.
Yet everything is locked inside,
God, help me, I want to die.
I lost my child last month.
Now people who had came, have gone.
I sit and struggle all day long,
To bear the pain so deep inside.
And now my friends just question, Why?
Why does this mother not move on?
Just sits and sings the same old song.
Good heavens, it has been so long.
I lost my child last year.
The numbness it has disappeared.
My eyes have now cried many tears.
I see the look upon your face,
"She must move on and leave this place."
Yet I am trapped right here in time.
The songs the same, as is the rhyme,
I lost my child.......Today.
Thank you Netta for allowing me to use this powerful and meaningful poem.
Please visit Netta's Memorial
Cara.
They say that I've been quite strange...I'm not sure.
They say that time will heal all wounds...I'm not sure.
They tell me you'd want me to go on...I'm not sure.
They say that seasons change, as I will...I'm not sure.
They say that you're in a better place...I'm not sure.
They say that I need to keep busy...I'm not sure.
They say that I will forget what I saw...I'm not sure.
They say that I will make it.....I'm not sure!
Written by Kathalise Martin
April 28, 1999.
the heart of my pain never goes away.
I've sat in limbo for more than two years
without the hope of ever drying these tears.
OH what reason could anyone ever proclaim
would justify taking a life without blame?
What evil lurks in the hearts of that someone
who felt the need to murder my dear son?
As I sat during that long trial & listened to
the agonizing pain that my son was put through.
I heard them speak his last dying words.
Shots that rang out that night I, too, heard.
I'll never be able to understand the reason why
they chose to break my heart & let my son die.
But someday when I too enter into the Pearly Gates,
and see the smile of those that patiently awaits.
The heart of my pain will then fade away
as I sit with them on that bright day.
We'll have been together for a milllion years
before we realize that we've erased all tears.
Until then, the rest of his story continues to unfold.
As his mother, I'm here to ensure it's told.
To carry the torch of the story his life explains.
To prevent this from happening ever again.
~Author~
Kaye Des'Ormeaux
Dedicated to Karen McCombs
in Memory of Jamie & Ashley
I have a friend I wish I didn’t meet
For that would mean her world
Or mine was right and
Memories not so bittersweet.
I have a friend I know is in pain
And I wish I could take it from her
To cast into the wind and rain
And right her world insane.
Oh, if I could give her a gift
I’d give her Jamie’s hugs
And his sweet gentle smile
Then send her on her way.
Back to a time when the world was right
And the ache I know comes from love
Was an ache she didn’t hold.
I have a friend who’s crying today
And I wish I were there with her
To hold her hand, to silently say
I’m here for you come what may.
And, today, her Mom-sadaversary
I pray sweet memories fly free
And along with loves gentle touch
She holds laughter and joy
Wrapped in the loving embrace of
all her family.
I have a friend who aches for her son
Like I do. His name is James, too and
I like to think the friendships earthly won
My James has too, the other side of the sun.
Author, Lynne Marien
May 11, 2002
Thank you so much Lynne.
Visit Lynne's memorial for her son Jim by clicking here.
Jim's Way
To visit Women Against Domestic Violence, click on either award.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Call 1-800-THE-LOST(1-800-843-5678)if you have seen one of these children.
Changes last made on: May 1, 2008