In Loving Memory - Thomas & Cheri Simon, George & "Johnnie" Wiggins
October 26, 2007, my wife's and my life were changed forever when a tractor trailer hit the Chevy Avalanche my father was driving. My father (Thomas), my wife's mother (Mary, but everyone called her "Johnnie") and my wife's step-father (George)were killed instantly. My mother (Cheri) survived for 13 days until the extent of her injuries overtook her. The four of them lived in a small area in North Carolina, called Fleetwood.
Our parents did not know one another before my wife and I were married. But, from our marriage, our parents became best friends. When my parents decided they had enough with South Florida, George and Johnnie invited them up to take a look around Fleetwood. Well, my parents fell in love with the area, bought some land and built their dream retirement home up there...less than 1 mile from my inlaws. While they were building the house, they stayed for 3 months with my inlaws. If we ever needed to get in touch with our parents and they weren't at their own homes, we would call the other house and find the 4 of them there, living it up.
In May, my wife Stephanie and I decided to adopt a child. Not an infant, but a child between 6 and 12 years old from the State of Florida. The four of them were extremely excited about it. They would have a grandchild together. We were all hoping it would happen before Christmas 2007. In October, we still hadn't been matched with a child, but they still hoped that when they came down for Christmas that we would be starting to get to know a child. On their way home from Christmas shopping is when tragedy struck. The driver of the semi was going twice the posted speed limit for trucks on US 421, lost control, flipped on its side, and like the hand of God, knocked my father's Avalanche onto its roof. The driver was originally charged with 4 counts of Death by Motor Vehicle (a misdemeanor), reckless driving, driving without insurance, and speeding. Since the accident, the Wilkes County DA is now looking at charging the driver with Involuntary Manslaughter, due to the condition the trailer was in before he started this trek from Virginia to Florida. On top of no insurance, the driver was an independent trucker, so we now have to piece together who he drove for. Now, two houses sit empty in the quiet Northwestern mountains of Fleetwood, NC. Our child (when we are finally matched) will never get to meet the four best grandparents they would have had.
I am not posting this, just because I am a member here on the forum. My father had a passion for Corvettes as well. When I was 14, I helped my father restore a frost beige/dark brown 1978 C3 with a L-48 motor. As much as I wanted to go crazy, change the colors, up the hp of the motor, my father was a purest. He wanted it like off the showroom floor.
When I was 28, I had a Mustang GT that I needed to sell, due to a shoulder injury from an accident. It was my parents that convinced me that it was time for me to look at buying a Corvette. My father and I enjoyed the time together looking at various Corvettes, before I purchased my first, a 1993 coupe.
We miss all four of them greatly. Losing one parent suddenly is a shock to the system. Losing 4 at one time...I would not wish on anyone.
Here are some articles that were written about the accident and their life: http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Sa...=1173353328666 http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Sa...=1041611505007 http://www.goblueridge.net/index.php...1746&Itemid=28
October 26, 2007, my wife's and my life were changed forever when a tractor trailer hit the Chevy Avalanche my father was driving. My father (Thomas), my wife's mother (Mary, but everyone called her "Johnnie") and my wife's step-father (George)were killed instantly. My mother (Cheri) survived for 13 days until the extent of her injuries overtook her. The four of them lived in a small area in North Carolina, called Fleetwood.
Our parents did not know one another before my wife and I were married. But, from our marriage, our parents became best friends. When my parents decided they had enough with South Florida, George and Johnnie invited them up to take a look around Fleetwood. Well, my parents fell in love with the area, bought some land and built their dream retirement home up there...less than 1 mile from my inlaws. While they were building the house, they stayed for 3 months with my inlaws. If we ever needed to get in touch with our parents and they weren't at their own homes, we would call the other house and find the 4 of them there, living it up.
In May, my wife Stephanie and I decided to adopt a child. Not an infant, but a child between 6 and 12 years old from the State of Florida. The four of them were extremely excited about it. They would have a grandchild together. We were all hoping it would happen before Christmas 2007. In October, we still hadn't been matched with a child, but they still hoped that when they came down for Christmas that we would be starting to get to know a child. On their way home from Christmas shopping is when tragedy struck. The driver of the semi was going twice the posted speed limit for trucks on US 421, lost control, flipped on its side, and like the hand of God, knocked my father's Avalanche onto its roof. The driver was originally charged with 4 counts of Death by Motor Vehicle (a misdemeanor), reckless driving, driving without insurance, and speeding. Since the accident, the Wilkes County DA is now looking at charging the driver with Involuntary Manslaughter, due to the condition the trailer was in before he started this trek from Virginia to Florida. On top of no insurance, the driver was an independent trucker, so we now have to piece together who he drove for. Now, two houses sit empty in the quiet Northwestern mountains of Fleetwood, NC. Our child (when we are finally matched) will never get to meet the four best grandparents they would have had.
I am not posting this, just because I am a member here on the forum. My father had a passion for Corvettes as well. When I was 14, I helped my father restore a frost beige/dark brown 1978 C3 with a L-48 motor. As much as I wanted to go crazy, change the colors, up the hp of the motor, my father was a purest. He wanted it like off the showroom floor.
When I was 28, I had a Mustang GT that I needed to sell, due to a shoulder injury from an accident. It was my parents that convinced me that it was time for me to look at buying a Corvette. My father and I enjoyed the time together looking at various Corvettes, before I purchased my first, a 1993 coupe.
We miss all four of them greatly. Losing one parent suddenly is a shock to the system. Losing 4 at one time...I would not wish on anyone.
Here are some articles that were written about the accident and their life: http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Sa...=1173353328666 http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Sa...=1041611505007 http://www.goblueridge.net/index.php...1746&Itemid=28
I'm so sorry to her about your losses, healing takes a long time, hang in there and remember the great memories you have of them, and they will always be with you.
Small World. We have friends in Sevierville and they called me in November for a B Day call and he (Gary) told me about this wreck that they had been detoured around in late October. Amazing, now I'll have to call him and let him know how really tragic this accident was. So very sorry for you and your families loss. We take comfort in the belief that we'll all meet them again some day. They have just walked a little further down the path of life than we have. God Bless You.
As we read your story...reality hits us....that we have only but one life here and it so quickly can be altered.
We are so sorry for the great loss you and your family have suffered.
One day our mourning will be turned into joy again.
May the Good Lord see you through until then.
We just found out from the DA in Wilkes County. The truck driver's charges have been increased. The DA went before the Grand Jury on Monday. They came back on Tuesday approving the new charges...4 counts of Involuntary Mansluaghter.
Your loss is unimaginable, couldn't even imagine your pain. My wife and I have lost her parents, my dad, a brother-in-law and 4 uncles in the last five years but not at one time.....God bless you and your family
I am not going to even pretend that I understand quite how you must feel as I have never went through something ike that. All I can say is that I pray that the Lord gives you and your family strength through these times of sorrow. Death is always hardest on those of us left behind and I just want you to know that I will pray for you and your family.
My wife and I received great news three weeks ago. When the accident happened, my wife and I were in the process of finishing our "home study" to be able to adopt a child from the State of Florida. Three weeks ago, we were matched with an 11 year old girl that we have been spending as much time with as possible. This 11 year old girl looks just like my wife and I. The best part...I sent our parents a picture of her back last June with a subject line of "This could be our daughter". Although they never got to meet her, they at least got to see our daughter before their passing.
My wife and I received great news three weeks ago. When the accident happened, my wife and I were in the process of finishing our "home study" to be able to adopt a child from the State of Florida. Three weeks ago, we were matched with an 11 year old girl that we have been spending as much time with as possible. This 11 year old girl looks just like my wife and I. The best part...I sent our parents a picture of her back last June with a subject line of "This could be our daughter". Although they never got to meet her, they at least got to see our daughter before their passing.
Neil (QuikZilver),
Just a short memo to let you know that there is not a day that goes by that Dianne and I don't think about your parents along with George and Johnnie.
What a coincidence that we both have a passion for Corvettes and that I just happened to 'click' on this thread and found your entry.
WOW!
As you may recall, we sold our log cabin in Creekside just prior to the accident, however as I mentioned earlier, we think of both couples so often that it's unreal. What a tragic loss, to say the least! I hope you and Stephanie are doing well, considering the circumstances.
If Dianne and I can be of any help in whatever form, please don't hesitate to call.
My email address is: dartley@nc.rr.com
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In Loving Memory - Thomas & Cheri Simon, George & "Johnnie" Wiggins
