VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) — It has been more than 23 years since Paula Wade and her three-year-old son Brandon vanished from their Valdosta apartment without a trace. Now, following what would have been Brandon’s 27th birthday, their family is launching a major community awareness campaign to keep their names alive and push for answers.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘We just want to bring them home’; Search continues for missing Valdosta mother and son

Days, weeks, months, years have passed. On July 15, 2026, 3-year-old Brandon, who went missing in October 2002, would have been 27-years-old.

“As his birthday started approaching I started thinking ‘wow, he’s now at age where he’s older than the amount of time that they’ve been missing,” Mary Ramsbottom said. “And that was just mind blowing to me. And July 15th is like any other day to most people but any other day to somebody that has somebody missing is a milestone.”

Paula and Brandon Brandon were last seen on October 13, 2002. When Paula missed work at Sam’s Club the next day, her co workers went to check on her, they saw her car outside and all of her belongings inside but no answer as to where she was. And when she missed that Sunday call, her family knew something was wrong.

For many families in South Georgia the dates, times, and milestones pass like seasons. For Mary Ramsbottom who has been searching for her sister and nephew for two decades, dealing, with the loss of family members she shares a message of hope to those families to never give up.

“Because there have been miracles and we have seen them happen. So my advice is always number rely on your faith because you’re never going to be alone then. Then also never give up. Those were literally my moms last words to me, ‘don’t stop, never give up,” she said.

Her faith and hope is what led to a partnership with Light the Way and the Gabby Petito Foundation. Between Aug. 4 and Aug. 10 there are six Lamar Advertising billboards around Valdosta, and coffee sleeves are being handed out at Hug in a Mug Coffee Company all with information about Paula and Brandon’s disappearance an effort to reignite visibility and spark conversation that brings answers.

“It really touches my heart knowing that there are people out there that really want to be the helpers...what can I do, can I hand out flyers, can I post it on social media,” Ramsbottom said. “Every time that’s asked, said, done, it fuels our hope and allows us to keep fighting the fight.”

If you know anything about the disappearance of Paula and Brandon Wade, contact the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office at (770) 216-3000 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov . Even the smallest detail could finally bring this family home.

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