VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - The years have grown harder for the sister and aunt of a missing mother and son.

Paula, 25, and her 3-year-old son Brandon Wade were reported missing on Oct. 14, 2002, after Paula didn’t show up for work at Sam’s Club in Valdosta. She worked there for more than five years and was preparing to transfer to another store in Florida. When Valdosta Police searched her apartment, they found all of their belongings inside.

Her older sister, Mary Ramsbottom, says it’s been a lifetime of missed memories as she has had to watch her nephew grow up through age progression photos.

“Whatever that path may have been or has been for Brandon is something I will always wonder. Always wonder did Paula stay with Sam’s club or did she change careers because she was supposed to move here to open a new store,” she said. “Those are the things that come with the ambiguous lose because there are no answers and you miss a lifetime of memories.”

At the time Paula went missing, she was married to her husband Lance Wade. He was ruled out as a person of interest after investigators confirmed he was out of town at his job in the Air Force.

Throughout the years the family has done numerous searches, passed out flyers, and several other search efforts but still no one knows what happened to the mother and son.

This past weekend they were at Sam’s Club to pass out flyers hoping to get information that may lead to answers. In Dec. 2024, she put up a billboard that includes a tip line and an email where anyone can send tips anonymously.

“We are never going to stop hoping but when that tip comes in your heart starts racing,” Ramsbottom said. “Over the years we have learned to be cautiously optimistic because it’s heartbreaking when the tip comes in and it turns out to be nothing.”

Paula’s sister says in recent years new tips have given investigators more to work with and they’re now waiting on those results.

“23 years later and we are still getting tips. So, you just want to always make sure you are doing what you can to keep their story out there,” Ramsbottom said.

After the passing of their mother two years ago, she says it’s her mission to keep searching for answers.

“We will never stop looking because we have hope and we have faith that the answers are going to come and the pieces of the puzzle are going to fit together. We just want to bring Paula and Brandon home.”

Ramsbottom thanked all who have shared Paula and Brandon’s photos and flyers. She says even small details could be the key to bringing them home.

If you know anything regarding the disappearance of Paula and Brandon Wade, you can call the Valdosta Police Department at 229-293-3091. You can also submit tips to the FBI by calling (770) 216-3000. Remember you can stay anonymous.

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