As church holds first service since attack, Joe and Claryce Holcombe say ‘it’s not long’ until they will be reunited with three generations of descendants

Joe Holcombe and his wife, Claryce, lost eight members of their family in the Texas church shooting last Sunday, including their son, grandchildren, a granddaughter-in-law who was pregnant and a great-granddaughter who was still a toddler. But before the church held its first service since the attack, they were serene.

Video of Texas church shooting said to show methodical killing of victims Read more

“It’s just not a problem to us,” said Holcombe, 86, adding that he and 84-year-old Claryce believed their dead family members were now alive again in heaven. “We know exactly where the family is, and it’s not going to be long until we’ll both be there,” he said. “And we’re really sort of looking forward to it.”

The Holcombes were upbeat and full of good humor in a telephone interview, and they were not an exception in a deeply evangelical part of Texas. Relatives and friends of the 25 victims in tiny Sutherland Springs believe good will come from evil and that their loved ones are safe for eternity, and breathing again, with God.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest An overflow crowd leaves the First Baptist church of Sutherland Springs worship service on a ballfield, the first service since the attack. Photograph: Rick Wilking/Reuters

The gunman was shot twice by a local man as he left the church. Investigators said the shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot after crashing his car.

On Sunday the First Baptist church held its first service since the shooting at a local baseball field, with folding chairs set up under a large white tent. The front three rows were reserved for church members and their families. Steady rain fell on the tarp roof while people slowly filed in. Some hugged. Others prayed or sat quietly.

Frank Pomeroy, the pastor of the First Baptist church, was absent last week. His 14-year-old daughter, Annabelle, was killed. He told the service on Sunday evil was responsible for the worst mass shooting in Texas history. He said he wanted to be sure everyone who walked in to the service “knows that those who died lived for their Lord and savior”. Rather than chose darkness as the gunman did seven days ago, he said, “we choose life”.

Pomeroy’s voice cracked as he paused, and described the victims as “my best friends and my daughter”. Then he wiped his eyes before saying: “I guarantee they are dancing with Jesus today.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Liam, four, and his parents Olivia and Leo leave flowers for the 26 people who died after a mass shooting in Sutherland Springs’ First Baptist church. Photograph: R Tomas Gonzalez/EPA

The crowd stood, clapped and raised their hands to heaven.

Psychologists say such deep faith can help families deal with such a ghastly event. Even so, they warn that leaning too heavily on religious beliefs can stunt natural grieving and result in post-traumatic stress.



“I can see potentially it could be some form of denial, a delayed traumatic reaction, and if you don’t have some kind of negative feelings, it can catch up with you,” said Bethany Brand, a clinical psychologist and trauma expert.

Gina Hassan, a psychologist in northern California, said Sutherland Spring’s faith was invaluable, “but if it’s relied upon in a rigid way, then it’s going to be a problem down the line and come back to bite you later on”.

Sutherland Springs: a small town that's supposed to be peaceful Read more

Local veterinarian George Hill, a relative of the Holcombes, said an evangelical belief in Christ was the only way to deal with such a tragedy.

“We haven’t lost hope,” he said. “They are not gone. They are just gone ahead. And we know we’ll see them again. It looks like evil won but it didn’t. Good is going to win.”

Pastor Mike Clements of the First Baptist church in Floresville, a small city 14 miles from Sutherland Springs, will officiate over the funeral services for the extended Holcombe family on Wednesday.

The dead include Bryan Holcombe, Joe and Claryce Holcombe’s son, and his wife Karla. Their son Danny Holcombe was killed, with his 18-month-old daughter, Noah. Crystal Holcombe, who was 18 weeks pregnant, was Bryan and Karla Holcombe’s daughter-in-law.

Emily, Megan and Greg Hill, three children from Karla’s first marriage, were also shot and killed. Under Texas law, Crystal Holcombe’s unborn child is counted as a victim, making a death toll of nine for the family.

People in Sutherland Springs are truly grieving, Clements said. But he added: “It doesn’t get any better than this. There is nothing better than heaven when you are a believer.”