Prayers go up for Dara Watson
by Anna Oakes
Candlelight vigil for Dara Watson
Date: Friday, Feb. 17
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Watsonatta Western World, downtown Boone
For two weeks, the High Country community has closely followed the story of Watauga County native Dara Lee Watson, a 30-year-old woman missing since Feb. 6, hoping and praying that she will be found.
A friend has organized a candlelight vigil for Watson at 7 p.m. today at Watsonatta Western World in downtown Boone, the King Street store owned by Watson's parents, Darrel and Ellen. The vigil corresponds with a similar event being held Friday evening in Mount Pleasant, S.C., where Watson lives and the search for her continues.
Visitors to Watsonatta in downtown Boone will find the doors closed, bearing a sign that reads, “Friends & customers, sorry for the inconvenience. The store will be closed today due to a family tragedy.” Flowers have been placed around the sign and on the door, and at the top of the sign someone has written, “We'll pray for you.”
“We are all very sad,” said Leah Rudell of Boone Florist, speaking about the downtown business community, many of whom have known the Watsons for years.
Watson was the assistant controller at Tweetsie Railroad for three years before moving to the Charleston, S.C., area.
“We're just shocked beyond words,” said Chris Robbins, president of Tweetsie, who said Watson occasionally stopped by to say hello to Tweetsie staff.
“We follow the news hourly about her,” Robbins said. “Everybody loves her. We know her; we know the family. We work with Watsonatta on our costumes and uniforms. We're just hoping and praying it all turns out for the best.”
Rebecca Eggers-Gryder, an attorney who works downtown, is a Watsonatta regular and a long-time friend of the Watsons.
“There's just a hole in our heart,” she said. “We feel for them. They're such a vital part of our downtown area, and they're good friends. Our prayers are with them, and our thoughts.”
On Facebook, multiple pages have been established to spread the word about the search efforts, with fliers that can be downloaded, printed and distributed.
“I just want all of you on this page to know that I created this page out of concern for Dara, even though I didn't know her,” said the creator of the page “find Dara LEE Watson” on Wednesday.
“Praying for Dara and her family,” commented Judy Anne Wagner of Boone, in response to a Watauga Democrat update on the search. “I cannot imagine the task of going through one day after another not knowing.”
The case has resonated not only through the Carolinas but throughout the country, with national news outlets Fox News, CNN, CBS and Huffington Post picking up the story.
If you plan to attend the vigil tonight, bring your own candles, as it's uncertain if candles will be provided.
Members of the family are in South Carolina and not expected to attend.
Date: Friday, Feb. 17
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Watsonatta Western World, downtown Boone
For two weeks, the High Country community has closely followed the story of Watauga County native Dara Lee Watson, a 30-year-old woman missing since Feb. 6, hoping and praying that she will be found.
A friend has organized a candlelight vigil for Watson at 7 p.m. today at Watsonatta Western World in downtown Boone, the King Street store owned by Watson's parents, Darrel and Ellen. The vigil corresponds with a similar event being held Friday evening in Mount Pleasant, S.C., where Watson lives and the search for her continues.
Visitors to Watsonatta in downtown Boone will find the doors closed, bearing a sign that reads, “Friends & customers, sorry for the inconvenience. The store will be closed today due to a family tragedy.” Flowers have been placed around the sign and on the door, and at the top of the sign someone has written, “We'll pray for you.”
“We are all very sad,” said Leah Rudell of Boone Florist, speaking about the downtown business community, many of whom have known the Watsons for years.
Watson was the assistant controller at Tweetsie Railroad for three years before moving to the Charleston, S.C., area.
“We're just shocked beyond words,” said Chris Robbins, president of Tweetsie, who said Watson occasionally stopped by to say hello to Tweetsie staff.
“We follow the news hourly about her,” Robbins said. “Everybody loves her. We know her; we know the family. We work with Watsonatta on our costumes and uniforms. We're just hoping and praying it all turns out for the best.”
Rebecca Eggers-Gryder, an attorney who works downtown, is a Watsonatta regular and a long-time friend of the Watsons.
“There's just a hole in our heart,” she said. “We feel for them. They're such a vital part of our downtown area, and they're good friends. Our prayers are with them, and our thoughts.”
On Facebook, multiple pages have been established to spread the word about the search efforts, with fliers that can be downloaded, printed and distributed.
“I just want all of you on this page to know that I created this page out of concern for Dara, even though I didn't know her,” said the creator of the page “find Dara LEE Watson” on Wednesday.
“Praying for Dara and her family,” commented Judy Anne Wagner of Boone, in response to a Watauga Democrat update on the search. “I cannot imagine the task of going through one day after another not knowing.”
The case has resonated not only through the Carolinas but throughout the country, with national news outlets Fox News, CNN, CBS and Huffington Post picking up the story.
If you plan to attend the vigil tonight, bring your own candles, as it's uncertain if candles will be provided.
Members of the family are in South Carolina and not expected to attend.