Amanda Blankenship is the daughter in law of one of our pastors, Glenn Dawson. A friend of hers named Troy Waugh was killed under tragic circumstances. There is no money for the funeral or for Christmas for that matter. I'm going to help the family out through the district but if we're really going to help this family I need your help.
I'm setting up a fund. If you can help, you can send a check through the Lynchburg District at 621 Court Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504. Just make sure you let us know it's for Troy Waugh and we'll get it to the family. We want to help with funeral expenses and with Christmas if possible. He will be buried here in Lynchburg.
Amanda's letter is below.
December 20, 2010
Mr. Davies,
Thank you so much for replying to my email earlier. I’ve been thinking for the last few hours, ‘How can I put into words how special Troy was and what makes his story so important that others will want to help his family? One hour later, I’ve wrote a huge story about Troy, but I’m so exhausted from these last few days that I just do not know if I’m actually getting to the heart of what’s truly important right now and that’s the family that he has left behind due to his sudden death Friday morning.
Troy Waugh, we know him as Boomer ( a nickname he earned in elementary school, rec. baseball for hitting the balls over the fence) died Friday morning at the age of 31, likely due to complications from Diabetes. He was a married to Nancy, currently a cook at the Boys & Girls Club in Dallas, Texas and father to 2 sons, ages 13 and 11, and one daughter, age 10.
Troy and Nancy had lived in a suburb of Dallas for the last 8 years but had decided to move to Elon, his hometown (he graduated from Amherst High School in 1997), to escape the busy city life of Dallas. They were here for 6 months when his father in law was diagnosed with Cancer. Nancy and 2 of their children went to Texas to be with her father during his treatments. To afford an apartment, she has also been working as a cook at a Dallas Boys & Girls club.
After spending this past week with his 11 year old son, Troy boarded a bus to Texas to be with his wife & family during Christmas. Boomer was an insulin dependent Diabetic, and it’s to my understanding that the bag containing his insulin was dropped when boarding. So eager to see his family, he attempted to ride 31 hours without his necessary insulin. Troy was found on the bus, unresponsive, 2 hours from his wife. He was rushed to St. Michael’s Hospital in Texarcana, Texas, and pronounced dead.
Troy was a wonderful friend and I could talk all night about him. We have been best friends since age 11….but tonight, again…I need to stay focused on his wife and children, and the rest of his family that are all grief stricken. His mother, Peggy Bennet of Monroe, VA, has been working deligently trying to plan a funeral for her son whose body is in the process of being flown to Lynchburg now, and trying to console a wife and grandchildren that are halfway across the country. Peggy is an employee at Central Virginia Training Center and is a caretaker of an intellectually disabeled family member. His step father, Clifford Bennet, is a custodian for Amherst County Public Schools. Troy’s youngest sister, Tameka, was able to book flights for the wife and children today, and they will now be able to attend Boomer’s funeral. But now in the aftermath I see how hard this is going to hit this family. Nancy has lost her companion and three children have lost their father….and of all the horrible times for this to happen…. right here at Christmas.
I have spoken with the family many times over these last few days and discussed many aspects of what’s happening right now…but I cannot muster up the courage to mention Christmas for the children. It would just add insult to injury. Nancy did not have the money to pay for airfare and almost had to miss her husband’s funeral so I know that she does not have the means to pay for presents.
So, I guess I’m writing as a call for help. These children have lost their father and now they are about to lose the joy of Christmas, too. They might also have to move permanently to Texas although they have grown fond of their family and surroundings here in Virginia. The only way I can think to help is through monetary donations or gifts. At least without some of the financial burdens that are now being laid upon this family they will be able to think more clearly and hopefully get back on their feet faster.
Davis & Turner Funeral SVS of Lynchburg VA is handling the funeral arrangements, their phone number is 434-846-9011. As of earlier, Troy’s funeral is planned for Wednesday at 1pm at a church on Rt. 635, in Elon, VA.
Mr. Davies, thank you so much for your attention. I know this time of year is one in which many people are in a financial pinch and will find it hard to donate which is completely understandable.
Thank you again,
Amanda Blankenship
Blankenship.ag@gmail.com
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