3 Years Missing: Rachel Conger

 March 13, 2011 is the 3rd year anniversary of Rachel Conger's disappearance.

Each Spring as the sun shines warmer and daffodils bloom on cool mornings, I'm reminded that Rachel is still missing, taken from our world way too soon.  Each year, on the morning of the anniversary of the day Rachel went missing, I sit to write something to honor her memory, and each year I wish it to be the last time.

Honoring Rachel today, as in years past, to me, is honoring all of the mothers missing from their children.  Although she may be missing from our earthly lives, as I once again look over her pictures, I'm reminded of the impact she's made on the world, I see the day differently through the eyes looking back at me.  Although I didn't know her personally, through these pictures and memories of her family, she has become close to many, reminding us that lives can be changed in an instant and those changes are far reaching.

Today marks the third year Rachel's daughter, Amber Simmons, has been without the mother who dearly, dearly loves her.  We have watched as Amber has grown from  a mere child to a beautiful young lady filled with much of the spirit of her mother. There are many surrogate "Mamabears" who vow to keep an eye out for this young lady, watching over her and taking her under our wings when needed.

Each year she whispers softly to us, reminding us all to take care, to love more, to reach out further, to be reminded that there is a family who starts every day silently hoping  it will be the day that she will be found.

Her light is gone, her voice is silenced, but we will continue to gather, united in prayer and hope that the light and love she left in this world will shine upon the path that, one day, will bring her home and give her family peace.

What more can we say, what more can we do, to bring her home? 

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Henry County Sheriff’s Department
Sheriff Monte Belew or (retired) Investigator Mike Smothers
(731) 642-1672
If you have any information on this case please contact CUE Center For Missing Persons using the contact form below or contact Cue Center at (910) 343-1131 24 hour tipline (910) 232-1687.

NamUs Missing Person Case #MP 5106

https://www.findthemissing.org/cases/5106/0/

Information about Rachel Conger:

http://bringrachelhome.blogspot.com/

http://www.ncmissingpersons.org/rachel-conger/

Past articles about Rachel Conger:

http://mothersarevanishing.blogspot.com/2008/08/rachel-conger.html

http://mothersarevanishing.blogspot.com/2009/02/can-you-help-find-rachel-conger.html

http://mothersarevanishing.blogspot.com/2009/03/rachel-conger-monday4-missing.html

http://mothersarevanishing.blogspot.com/2010/03/rachel-conger-missing-for-2-years.html

http://mothersarevanishing.blogspot.com/2010/11/from-mother-to-daughter-rachel-conger.html

 

From Mother to Daughter: Rachel Conger

I Am Still Here

Please don't mourn for me

I'm still here, though you don't see.

I'm right by your side each night and day

And within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I'm always near.

I'm everything you feel, see or hear.

My spirit is free though I'll never depart

As long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I'll never wander out of your sight~

I'm the brightest star on a summer night.

I'll never be beyond your reach~

I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.

I'm the colorful leaves when Autumn's around

And the pure white snow that blankets the ground.

I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,

The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,

The first warm raindrop that April will bring.

I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,

And you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking that there's no one to love you,

You can talk to me through the Lord above you.

I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,

And you'll hear my answer on the soft summer breeze.

I'm the hot salty trees that flow when you weep

And the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.

I'm the smile you see on a baby's face,

Just look for me, I'm everyplace!

~Author Unknown

Bring Rachel Home........

http://bringrachelhome.blogspot.com/

Rachel Conger Missing for 2 Years

I don't want to write this article.  Why, you may ask?  Because I was hoping and praying that long before now Rachel Conger would have been found, this case solved, and her daughter, Amber, would be embarking on a new phase of her life, finding a semblance of peace in knowing where her mother will rest.

This picture is one of my favorites of Rachel, although there are so many that radiate her beauty, this one radiates her love.  I can imagine this day as she walked along the path with Amber, having a great time that day, as she looks over at her daughter, beaming with pride.  Maybe, at the time, Amber didn't realize it, but I'm sure she felt the energy of her mother's love for her.

Rachel Conger was missing for just a few months when I first became aware of her case.  What drew me, as well as many others, to her case was Amber.  Reading about all the things that Amber was willing to do to help in the search for her mother was astounding to me.  Raising money by having bake sales, car washes, any way she could think of, was a huge endeavor for a 13 year old living in a small town like Paris, TN.  Like so many other families with missing loved ones, no stone was left unturned in trying to bring attention to their case, but no 13 year old should have to spend her time like this, searching for her mother.

It's just so hard for me to believe that it's been 2 years!  With the help of missing persons organizations, like CUE Center for Missing Persons, massive searches and investigations have been done, yet Rachel is still missing.  I just knew that she would be found, and I still hold that belief!  She will be found, maybe not today or tomorrow, but her time is coming soon.

Amber is now 15, a beautiful teenager trying to carry on a "normal" teenage life.  She has a close knit family who love her dearly and watch out for her well being.  She still works on keeping her mother's memory alive and would love to have her case featured on Investigation Discovery's new television show, "Disappeared" which does an amazing job of bringing the facts of missing persons cases into our living rooms in hopes that someone who watches holds the key to a resolution of the cases which they feature.

The family of Rachel Conger has connected with many other missing person's families as well as others who advocate and support them online.

Today there will be an "internet" candlelight vigil for all who have become close these past two years.  Please light a candle and say a prayer in Rachel's name that she is found soon.  Keep Amber and the rest of the family in your prayers as well.  Go to the Facebook event and instructions and links can be found.

Rachel Conger Online Anniversary Vigil 

Rachel Conger

March 13, 2008 was the first day of Spring Break for Amber Simmons, but when she awoke that morning things were different.  Her mother, Rachel Conger, wasn't home and as Amber went about her day, her mother never returned.  Family members gathered and went to the police that evening and reported her missing.

Rachel was estranged from her husband, Paul Conger, and by March 16 he would be found dead of a self inflicted gunshot wound.  Sources say that the marriage between Rachel and Paul was stormy and they had planned on a divorce.  According to investigators they think Rachel is the victim of a murder suicide at the hands of her husband, Paul.

According to family members Rachel married young, but always had a great sense of responsibility.  She was young when she became a mother, but took the role quite seriously and raised her daughter, Amber to have that same sense.  Rachel's first marriage broke up, but she was on great terms with her ex husband's family and they all mended their fences years ago.  Rachel stayed close to the family, as did Amber.

Even though this year did not bring the answers Amber is looking for, it's not because she hasn't been in the forefront leading the way for searches to be conducted in several areas of interest.  Amber coordinated car washes, bake sales, and concerts, any way she could she raised money to fund searches.

Last month, CUE Center for Missing Persons united with local law enforcement and search and recovery K9 teams from all over the country to conduct a massive search, trying to bring Rachel home before the one year anniversary of her vanishing.  Although weather hampered their efforts, they will be back again to continue searching.

Amber Simmons has had a lot of love and support for her efforts this year, not only from her loving family, but from total strangers who were won over by her maturity and strength to carry on looking for her mother.

“My mom was the most amazing woman ever and the best friend I have ever had and that is what keeps me going everyday. I know that one day eventually she will be found because I will never give up looking for my mother, my best friend. I could tell her everything and she wouldn't judge me- only help me and be understanding.”

This beautiful poem is posted on the family site, Bring Rachel Home:

Rachel Lynn Younger Conger
Oct. 11, 1977-March 13, 2008


The Broken Chain

We little knew that morning,

that God was going to call your name.

In life we loved you dearly,

In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you,

you did not go alone;

for part of us went with you,

the day God called you home.


You left us peaceful memories,

your love is still our guide;

and though we cannot see you,

you are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken,

and nothing seems the same;

but as GOD calls us one by one,

The Chain will link again.

~author unknown


Donations for further searches can be made at the family site or directly to CUE Center For Missing Persons.


Prayers, support and encouragement for Amber and her family can be made at Peace4 the Missing.

Can You Help Find Rachel Conger?

There will be a massive search for missing mother, Rachel Conger, and a search of this magnitude requires much in the way of resources.  CUE Center for Missing Persons will be conducting the search and there is never a charge for the families they serve.  The families do their best to help by providing lunches for searchers who, along with K9s, make their own way to searches, at their own expense.  These are well trained, certified people who work at finding missing persons relentlessly, from dawn til dusk.

Rachel Conger was a young mother of a thirteen year old daughter when she went missing under suspicious circumstances March 13, 2008.  Her daughter, Amber, has done amazing things to help raise funds and has paid for past searches for her mother.  Sources tell me that Rachel and Amber had an unusually close relationship and pictures show an intense love for each other.  Rachel was married young, but had an acute sense about her, according to family members, and Amber has been able to learn those lessons of responsibility early on from her mother.

Her daughter, Amber, is the driving force behind each event to help find her mother whom she dearly misses. She had this to say to the community; ''I really want my mom found; she means the world to me. What 13 year old would not want their mom found? I am appreciative for what everyone has done to support us & help search for my mom. I ask for your continued support to help bring her home.''

Please unite with us and donate what you can to CUE Center for Missing Persons or directly to the "Bring Rachel Home" fund set up by her family.  Show your support for Amber and for all families of missing persons.

CUE Center donations can be made HERE.  You can use Paypal or send directly to the address provided.

"Bring Rachel Home" donations can be made to the following:
If anyone would like to donate to the Bring Rachel Home fund, the tax-deductible bank account is set up at:

Holley Credit Union
1107 Mineral Wells Ave.
Paris, TN 38242

*Information required*
Rachel Conger Special Account
"Bring Rachel Home"
Account# 8038-010

All of us involved in this latest search are asking at least for your prayers that Rachel Conger will be found and brought home to her family, especially her daughter, Amber.  Thank you for all you can do to help.

You Are Missed

A simple photo tribute to some Missing Mothers...........You are Missed.

I understand the family leaving it in the hands of God.
If He calls the stars by name, I know He knows
every name of every missing person ! And, will one day call their names.  ~Seeker~
... See my Tabblo>

Rachel Conger

I have copied this entry, with permission, from the blog http://bringrachelhome.blogspot.com. I felt that it described the events better than I could myself, and Rachel's daughter, 13 year old Amber, speaks her words.

As a footnote to this entry, Amber was able to reach her $4000 goal by organizing her fundraisers. A search was performed Saturday, August 9. Rachel is still missing and Amber needs our encouragement and support.


One Henry County Daughter’s Effort to Find Missing Mother
Press Release

On Thursday, March 13, 2008, thirteen-year-old Amber Simmons awoke to a day that would change her life forever. Her mother, Rachel Conger, was missing and Amber has since been doing everything that she can to help find her mother. On April 13, Amber organized a candlelight vigil at the Henry County Court House to honor and pray for her mother to be found. Since the first month of her mother’s disappearance, Amber has since turned her attention to raising money to bring in professional search organizations to help find her mother, Rachel Conger.

Her daughter, Amber, is the driving force behind each event to help find her mother whom she dearly misses. She had this to say to the community; ''I really want my mom found; she means the world to me. What 13 year old would not want their mom found? I am appreciative for what everyone has done to support us & help search for my mom. I ask for your continued support to help bring her home.''

On June 27, Amber organized a car wash at Advanced Auto Parts that raised $500. When faced with needing to reach an initial goal of $4000.00, Amber got to work organizing two more fundraisers. On July 12, the “Bring Rachel Home” bake sale was held at E.W. James & Sons, and raised $834.00 and on July 26; the “Bring Rachel Home” yard sale raised $550.00. In the planning stages is a benefit concert, which is set to be held on August 23rd, at Casey Jones Village/Old Country Store Amphitheater in Jackson, TN (more details about performers and the time that concert starts will be available in the next several days).

All proceeds from the fundraisers will help cover the immediately needed travel expenses for their upcoming Search & Rescue set for Aug 9th. United Response Search & Rescue Organization has offered the family their assistance with Law Enforcement in search efforts for missing Rachel Conger. They are a Texas based Non-Profit Search & Rescue Organization who aid in searches for missing children & adults nationwide. Their search is set for August 4-10th, with a volunteer community search on August 9th. It will take the community's continued support to help them reach their $4,000 urgently needed goal for ongoing search and rescue efforts.


They are asking for volunteer searchers from the public on Saturday, August 9th. Please spread the word, as we need about 250- 300 volunteers to help aid us in our efforts. More details will be available soon. We are also in need of food and water donations for that day. If willing to donate meals or drinks, please contact:
bringrachelcongerhome@hotmail.com

Newly added to their site, is a heart tugging beautiful music video tribute slide show, in honor of missing Rachel. To learn more about missing Rachel Conger or to make a contribution please visit: http://bringrachelhome.blogspot.com