GILMER, Texas — Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, marks 31 years since Kelly Wilson, of Gilmer, disappeared.
As her friends and family wait for closure, they held a candlelight vigil in her honor.
"If Kelly were her today, she would probably have children, about my children’s age. They would’ve been friends. They would’ve been in athletics together….We just would’ve share all the great things that happen in a small town," said Wilson's high school friend Jennifer Dean.
Dean met Wilson when she moved to Gilmer.
"She was a friend to a lot of people. She was friendly. She made you feel comfortable. She was beautiful, she was smart, she was brave," Dean said.
A vigil was held in her honor, as those who knew her recounted the memories from when Wilson worked at the video store.
"The last time I entered this building, I was 11 years old and I handed her VHS movies. That was the last night she clocked out [of] here," said Heather Quinn.
Wilson was last seen 31 years ago at what used to be a video store. She was closing around 8:30 p.m., to put money in the bank for the day’s shift when she disappeared.
"We don’t know if she was able to do her routine in a bank that’s right around the corner. Or if she did and she came back and something happened," Dean said.
Grainy surveillance video from the bank shows someone did make the video store's deposit that night, but it's unclear whether or not it was Wilson.
Many showed up in support of Wilson at the vigil. Holding candles up high for her, hopeful friends and family, like Michelle Davis, will have answers soon.
"Trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness and hope for our future," Davis said. "I do hold hope, I do. There are several things coming together all at once and I don’t think it’s coincidence. I think it’s divine."
The case is still open and active. If you have any information on Wilson's disappearance, please contact the Gilmer Police Department at (903) 843-5545 or the Texas Department of Public Safety Missing Persons Clearinghouse at (512) 424-5047.