REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS

Grieving family and friends honour loved ones lost

Bryan Holcombe, 60

The volunteer pastor was married to his high school sweetheart almost 40 years. “He was a fine kid,” says his dad, Joe, 86. “We know he’s in heaven.”

Crystal Holcombe, 36

Pregnant with her 6th child, she was devoted to homeschooling. “She wanted to raise very smart children,” says high-school teacher Tambria Read.

Joann Ward, 30

The daycare worker was a regular at the diner across from the church. Adds Gary Zwicke: “She cared about people that needed help.”

Emily Ward, 7

Joann’s daughter Emily accompanied her mum to church. Stepfather Chris Ward stayed home after a night shift. “They were good kids,” says his uncle.

Karla Holcombe, 58

The assistant church secretary and Sunday school teacher “ran around all day most every day helping people that needed help,” says her father-in-law.

Megan Hill, 8

Megan and her sister Emily were baking cookies to raise money for Hurricane Harvey victims, according to mum Crystal Holcombe’s Facebook page.

Brooke Ward, 5

Brooke, Joann’s daughter with husband Chris, loved to accompany her mum and siblings to church. “They pretty much went every Sunday,” says Zwicke.

Annabelle Pomeroy, 14

The youngest daughter of the church’s pastor, she attended services even though her parents were away.