Rabun County community members showed their support for a missing man Saturday evening during a candlelight vigil. The solemn vigil held for Vaughn Callenback was attended by more than 50 family, friends, and supporters who gathered to pray for his safe return.
Sheriff-elect Mark Gerrells was among those who attended.
Callenback’s daughter, Joanie Callenback Knight, arranged the vigil. She has been critical of the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office for its handling of her father’s case. However, on this night, there was a show of unity as she shared a hug with the incoming sheriff and prayed with him for her father’s safe return.
At the beginning of the vigil, Knight played the song “I Am Not Okay” by country music artist Jelly Roll. The song is about battling depression. While Knight says the title fits her current emotional state, there is a more powerful message in the song. She finds hope in the line, “But we’re all gonna be alright.”
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Leaning on faith and each other
Family friend Anthony Worley spoke during the vigil. He sought to provide comfort through prayer for the distraught family.
“We just have to depend on Jesus Christ to get answers here. They’ve [the sheriff’s office] exhausted all of their resources and are still looking,” he said. “God can give us the answers and God can give us what we need at this hour for closure for this case.”
With little to go on as far as clues to Callenback’s whereabouts, the incoming sheriff echoed Worley’s sentiment and encouraged those gathered to lean on faith and each other.
“I think probably one of the best thing we need to do is what everybody’s been doing: just continue to pray,” he said. “Folks, keep doing what we’re doing. Let’s not give up. Post and repost on social media, tell everybody you see, and let them know.”
Rabun County’s soon-to-be sheriff called on the crowd to lay hands on Knight and silently pray. After several minutes, He led them in prayer, asking God for answers and guidance in the case.
Search for answers continues
After the vigil, Gerrells said that since he is not sheriff yet, he does not have many answers. However, when he gets into office, he said he will make this case a priority to bring closure to the family.
As for the vigil turnout, Gerrells said he was “so impressed with the compassion and attendance tonight.”
Knight, who has devoted much of her time and energy toward finding her father since he disappeared, said she was happy to see so many come out for the vigil.
“It made my heart feel so happy to see so many come with love and support for my dad and me and to be his voice,” she said.
She extended the invitation to Gerrells and said she was glad that he accepted.
“I was glad to see he accepted my invite, knowing he didn’t have to. It showed me he cares more than anyone else in the sheriff’s office,” Knight told Now Habersham.
Knight has been critical of how the sheriff’s office has handled the case, beginning with the recovery of her dad’s truck on July 7.
Vaughn Callenback was last seen on July 5 at United Community Bank in Clayton. Two days later, his truck was found on Old Coleman River Road over an embankment. A family member reported him missing on July 13. He has now been missing for 59 days.
