Updates will follow as they occur. I’ve already added so many videos I made from being here in April. Check all of them out if you’re wondering who I am, what I was trying to do, and what I’ve done so far.
Update 11/17/2023
This text chain went to the family on 11/13/2023 after I hadn’t heard back from ANYONE regarding the events described above. No-one ever responded … until Christian’s father (whom I’d never met) called that afternoon …
After talking to Gordon Monday, I was worried. As I’ve said, I’d NEVER met him. I only heard a couple of stories from Glenda. Fearing for my safety and the safety of Kai (my husky), I asked an officer to meet me back at the house. He cleared the home and I packed some bags. I grabbed a room for two nights and woke up the next morning to meet everyone at the home at 11:00am. That morning I finally met Gordon. Unbeknownst to me, Mr. Tyrone Holmes and Mrs. Hattie Holmes would also be there. After talking with the officers and recording them getting the printed version of what I wrote here, I went to speak with them after the officers walked back toward their cruisers …
I called Mr. Tyrone Holmes later that evening. He said there was nothing else left to say. The texts above were the last time I tried to talk Mr. Gordon Ladson. He never responded.
I stayed in a hotel that evening after talking with the neighbors that had watched the entire situation unfold. I had a great breakfast at Vicious Biscuit the next morning and came back to The Residence.
What’s next? I don’t know, but God does.
Peace be with you all.
Orignina message to Holmes Family
Prepared November 3rd, 2023
The following are my accounts of conservations with Glenda Ladson of 9 Magnolia Ave. Charleston S.C. 29403 (henceforth known as “The Residence”), her relatives, Pastors (Mr. & Mrs.) Harvey, neighbors, community members, skilled professionals, and city councilmen all regarding the fulfillment of her wishes for The Residence and her only son Christian Ladson. Attached are all forms of digital communication I have from multiple sources.
Prologue:
My name is Brian Gambrell.
I am 47 years old.
I describe myself as being “a southern gypsy”, having been born in N.C., raised in Aiken S.C., and coming back to Charleston S.C. by way of the metro Atlanta area and others.
I have given Glenda’s family and friends all of my contact information repeatedly as I met them … some for the first time and some remembering me from previous visits to Charleston S.C. to see Glenda and Christian.
I have invited all the family I’ve met to and through The Residence, invited them to take pictures, and invited them to remove the vast number of family-related possessions left in the home by Glenda.
My employment background spans growing up in my father’s Ace Hardware in Aiken S.C.; loading bags of manure, soil, & concrete, stocking, cleaning the floors & bathrooms, and learning to managing restaurants, project management of equipment, design, and installation for the top two Point of Sale companies in the world, then project management of roofing and construction in Kennesaw GA, Greenville S.C., Charlotte N.C., and Acworth GA, and finally being a handyman at Forward Restorations (https://forwardrestorations.com) for over five years.
I earned my high school diploma from South Aiken in Aiken S.C., attended two years at Georgia Southern (music education / restaurant management), and four semesters at The College of Charleston in Charleston S.C. I have been certified for food safety & prep and taken classes for; asbestos, lead, and mold abatement.
I first met Christian at Camp Happy days when he was 13. I was a counselor for two other children in the room. Christian was “The It Kid” the second I met him. The whole world knew that. “The It Kid” means his infectious smile, eyes, personality, and demeanor. I wouldn’t become his counselor until my third year (and last year) there. By that time, I had been to Glenda’s residence plenty of times.
I moved out of Charleston to metro Atlanta Christians last year of camp. I held a charity wine dinner for Glenda and Christian at a restaurant in Vinings GA. I worked at, and while he went to camp his last year, I took the approximately $640.00 I had made and used it to come to The Residence to; replace the original sink, repair the plumbing, trim and damaged drywall behind that sink, install new bathroom accessories, paint, install a new ceiling fan and lights in the bedroom, install two brand new mattresses, and clean the home for Glenda and Christian after camp. I have the video and pictures of that work (as well as a walkthrough of the home in July of 2007). That walkthrough was the last time I saw the home until I came down to see Christian when he was at the hospital, on a feeding tube on a feeding tube, and emaciated.
I was initially unable to see Christian for the first two days because the doctor had placed a family hold on him, relating to his condition. Pastor Elaine Harvey will recall meeting me in the lobby and us doing our best to learn why the hold was placed, how to lift it, who to talk to, and when Glenda could see him again. After many conversations and being told by an administrator with Pastor Harvey of the hospital I wouldn’t know when the hold would be lifted (if ever), I left Charleston after 2 days thinking I wouldn’t be able to see Christian before he died. That thought was soul crushing. As I drove towards home I made a promise to God, the TRUTH in ALL THINGS, I would spend the rest of my life doing everything I could for him and Glenda. Pastor Harvey called me in the evening when I was two hours away and told me Glenda, herself, and I would finally be able to see Christian. They were with him, and my prayer was immediately answered. I stayed the night where I was, turned around the next morning, and went to the hospital. I made the same promise I made to God the night before to Christian. Glenda and I had a plan.
I had an interest in a home I rented from a family friend. I would use that interest when we sold the home to move to Charleston and get her and Christian out of her brother’s house, and back into her home.
After a copious amount of setback on my end, I finally made it out of GA, received the money needed for improvements, and moved my belongings into The Residence on April 7th, 2023 at approximately 1pm.
I spent the subsequent time cleaning and moving into the residence. I went through every room and every box. I recycled anything I could, I cleaned and saved EVERY ITEM OF VALUE TO GLENDA AND/OR FAMILY SIGNIFICANCE. Everything else, I threw away.
Trash had layers of mold and/or wasn’t usable for the plans Glenda and I disgusted for the home. I cleaned the ceilings, walls, and floors in the dining room, living room, bathroom, and one bedroom. The roof, being in poor repair, IS leaking from various places in the kitchen and the rear bedroom. I removed the refrigerator after testing its functionality (broken), the microwave (layers of crud), the stove (layers of crud (old, cheap, gas), an old washing machine that I couldn’t test as there were; no water connections to test, discolored paint, filthy inside, and rusted on the rear. The only salvageable appliance I didn’t recycle was a stackable washer and dryer that had come from the Charleston Habitat for Humanity. I took that back to them for resale after I cleaned it (the original sticker was still on it, from there in 2017). I taped and sealed off the rear bedroom and installed a brand-new toilet in the bathroom. Prior to May 2nd, 2023, I had my truck and trailer unpacked and moved in, Internet service through Xfinity, and 2 new window air conditioning units. I lived in the home, visited Glenda and Christian when they and I had time, and left for the summer on May 3rd 2023.
I didn’t come back home (The Residence), with the last of my belongings, equipment, dog, and donations until Wednesday October 11th, 2023. I went to see Glenda on Friday and introduce her to Kai (a long story I can tell or as can be gleaned from the attached texts (she feared dogs)).
Prior to my moving down, Glenda NEVER informed me she had cancer. I would come to learn it was stage 4 and she had been given six months. Glenda told me she had cancer on October 13th, 2023 at approximately 5pm. She had called me prior to that, crying, telling me she was in pain and hurting. When I got there, no-one else was around, Glenda was doubled over in pain crying, and Christain was sitting in the recliner in the living room. I witnessed that and plead with her to go to the hospital for her pain. She refused. I called the only person I knew to call, Pastor Elaine Harvey, and asked her to PLEASE stop by and convince her otherwise. I stayed and cared for them as best I could and talked. She said she was scared to go to the hospital because she didn’t think she’d get to leave there.
SHE DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE CHRISTIAN.
I left prior to Pastor Elaine Harvey arriving but texted her at 6:32pm that “I had a long talk with God. We agreed you aren’t allowed to die for at least 363 days. Just let me know you’re ok.”.
The last communication I ever had with her was the last text I ever received from her on Saturday October 14th, 2023, at 5:13pm. She wrote “Am planning on going to the hospital in the morning still not feeling good today.”.
The last time I would see her was the day before (October 13th, 2023). Even though lots of people and her family knew I was at The Residence for Glenda and Christian, I wouldn’t get another chance to know what was going on or to say goodbye.
GLENDA LADSON (my friend) died in the afternoon on October 30th, 2023.
Prior to Glenda’s death, I met family members I hadn’t met in person before (and one that remembered me from a picture of Christian and I from camp over a decade ago (Mrs. Whitney Holmes).
Regarding Mrs. Hattie Holmes:
The first time I met a family member (other than Gerald Holmes) was Mrs. Hattie Holmes on October 21st, at approximately 4pm. She stayed in her vehicle the entire time we spoke. I had the screen door open and my dog, leashed, outside. She hollered from her vehicle and I came back outside when I heard her. She admitted to me she had no idea who I was, why I was there, or what was going on. So, I explained EVERYTHING, told her to text me her information, and I’d reply so she had ALL my contact information and could see examples of the work I’d done online. We spoke for approximately 20 minutes. I invited her inside to see the home and talk about the plans Glenda and I had. She declined. I told her I found and saved EVERY old picture, nick-knack, and all the jewelry I found. I told her I’d talk to Glenda and ask if there was anything she’d be willing to part with. I also told her there was one thing I wanted to keep for the home, a quilt I assumed her grandmother had made. It’s something I’d later go into better detail with Whitney Holmes on Monday October 30th at approximately 2pm. when she stopped by. I told them both I’d like to have that quilt stay here and I was going to build a custom display cabinet for it in the hall.
The next time I would speak with Mrs. Hattie Holmes for 25 minutes and 46 seconds would be to remind her again who I was and why Glenda had asked me to help her and Christian. We spoke at length about my concern regarding Christian, Glenda’s wishes, and The Residence. I had concerns. Her brother Mr. Alex Holmes had come by Friday October 27th after we had met. Mr. Alex Holmes also had no idea who I was or why I was living at The Residence. He probed who I was, and I was forthcoming, giving him the same contact information and knowledge, I had given Mrs. Hattie Holmes. I informed Mrs. Hattie Holmes that Mr. Alex Holmes had stopped by, and against Glenda’s wishes, informed me that it wasn’t acceptable to be in the home according to himself and his other brother Mr. Tyrone Holmes. Mr. Alex Holmes conceded that day, multiple times, The Residence was in Glenda’s name and whatever happened was HER decision, but he felt I should leave in 90n days. Mr. Tyrone Holmes agreed. That evening, those two brothers (I would later learn from Mr. Gerald Holmes) would wait until Mr. Gerald Holmes left and try and convince Glenda that I shouldn’t be there. I didn’t go with them to talk with her. I thought it would be better to hear whatever she was going to say without me.
The next communication I had with Mrs. Hattie Holmes was November 2nd, 2023 ,at 9:23am. That was after I had found out Glenda had passed, after I had asked her to send picture to the funeral home for the wake, after I had asked her to have a family meeting, after she told me to stay in the house and fix it up, after I TOLD HER EVERYTHING, after she said she’d call me back, her reply to me asking how much later till we talk was “Bubba, I’m not trying to be rude but we have a lot going on now and my main focus is on taking care of arrangements for my sister’s funeral. When I get a chance, I’ll do what I said I would do. Please respect our grieving process and understand that we will get with you as soon as we can.” … to which I replied at 9:35am, “I hear ya. I’m grieving too. I’ve gone to great lengths to be here for your sister and Christian at her request. If she hadn’t died, she and Christian would have been living here, with me, by Christmas … which is what SHE wanted.”
The next communications I had with her was after I texted, on Sunday November 5th at 4:30 pm asking “Can I come see you tomorrow? I have some things for you from here.” then “Of course you’re welcome here too”. The following Tuesday at 2:53 pm I texted “What’s your email address?” I received no reply.
The last communication I had with her was Tuesday November 5th at 2:59 pm. I texted her, Mr. Alex Holmes, and Mr. Tyrone Holmes, writing “Tyrone will be the only person that doesn’t have my number. This is Brian Gambrell (Camp Bubba). I’d like y’alls email addresses and to schedule a time to talk about Glenda’s wishes for Christian and her property located at 9 Magnolia Ave Charleston SC 29403 prior to her wake and funeral, which I will be attending. I’m with Gerald and Christian right now and I have questions”. To which ONLY Mrs. Hattie replied “I do not have an email address. What questions do you have? I have so much on my plate right now”. I replied “When can I go see you for 10 minutes? I have a prepared declaration regarding Glenda’s wishes for Christian and 9 Magnolia. It’s a lot. It summarizes what I’ve said to all of y’all. I’m also concerned about Christian and Gerald. I wasn’t worried when Glenda was around, but Christian is a lot. I saw Mrs. Sharon (Glenda’s childhood friend) with them every day until today. Even at camp Christian was a two-person job. I was always concerned that he’s there without someone that has a car, but now that she’s gone and its only Gerald, I’m worried. I know he’s a good man and he’s doing his best, but it’s a lot of work. I made a promise to God, Glenda, and Christian. I will see it fulfilled. Christian’s wellbeing is MY primary focus.” Her last response was that evening at 7:12 pm., texting “please don’t remove anything from the house. We have a general idea of what’s there and will sort through them when we can. Thank you.”
Regarding Mr. Alex Holmes:
I first met Mr. Alex Holmes on Friday October 27th, 2023, at approximately 5pm. As stated above, I informed him who I was, why I lived at The Residence, how long it had been living there, and why. I showed him the same picture I showed Mrs. Hattie Holmes. It’s a picture of Christian and I from camp. While probing the situation, I learned he had helped his sister (Mrs. Glenda Ladson) get the home in to her name (some time ago) and it cost him what appeared to be a significant sum of money to himself. During our entire interaction, I had to put my dog inside, so he felt comfortable enough to speak with me on the front porch. Mr. Alex Holmes informed me multiple time that he was aware that The Residence was in Glenda’s name, but (in his opinion) I should be there, care about her, care about The Residence, or care what happened to Christian. Mr. Alex Holmes told me multiple times I had 90 days (about 3 months) to leave, even though he conceded the house was in Glenda’s name and what happened was her decision. Mr. Alex Holmes left the evening of October 27th, 2023 at approximately 6:30pm. The last time I had communication with Mr. Alex Holmes was Sunday October 29th, 2023, at 8:36am. He texted (while Glenda was alive) “GM Brian, you will have to move your things out of 9 Magnolia in the next couple of weeks. You can call me to discuss this matter if needed.” Knowing his opinion had NO weight in Glenda’s decision, I didn’t reply. Again, GLENDA’S FAMILY BROKE MY HEART, I didn’t hear from Mr. Alex Holmes about Glenda’s (my friend) passing.
Regarding Mrs. Whitney Holmes:
I met Mrs. Whitney Holmes on October 30th, 2023, at approximately noon. She and her husband stopped by after seeing Glenda in the hospital. Mrs. Whitney Holmes remembered me from camp day when I met her again. She reminded me she was Mr. Tyrone Holmes’s daughter. I again explained who I was and what I was doing there. I allowed them both into The Residence (after I leashed my dog outside). I showed them the progress, told them of the work I had done and the work I would do, allowed her to take picture of the entire home, and I told her about the quilt. Regarding the quilt idea, she said “check with Mrs. Hattie”. I texted her twice with no response, even though she said she’d keep me informed and talk to her father, uncle, and aunt about me. My first text was on Monday October 30th, 2023, at 5:09pm. That text was “It’s Bubba. Thanks for stopping by. Lequan, (next-door here) told me she (Glenda) has state 4 cancer. Is that true? She said she had cancer but didn’t go into detail.”. The only other text I sent her was Thursday November 2nd, 2023, “What’s your father’s phone number?”. I haven’t received a reply since. Mrs. Whitney was the only person I talked to in her family the day of Glenda’s funeral. She said “hey Bubba” in the hallway and gave me a hug. I gave her a big bubba hug back. I needed that.
Regarding Mr. Gerald Holmes:
I’ve seen Mr. Gerald multiple times since I’ve been here. Mr. Gerald Holmes told me (regarding The Residence), it was in Glenda’s name and everything was her decision. I’ve only texted him two times. The first being after I got his number after seeing him on October 29th, 2023 at approximately 12pm. My first text was “Just a reminder, this is Brian Gambrell (Bubba) over a 9 Magnolia. I’m here and I’d love to see you and Christian.” I never got a response. Monday October 30th, 2023 at 11:21 I texted “Does Glenda need a ride from the hospital?”. He told me the day before that she was ok and that she’d be coming home. I never got a response from that text either.
Regarding Pastor Elaine Harvey:
I first met Pastor Elaine Harvey on Monday July 11th, 2022. We were at the hospital trying to see Christian and help Glenda. My first text from her was Tuesday July 12th, 2022. She wrote “Glenda called me when I saw halfway back. I just got back to the hospital. He’s getting a CT scan now, but they’re letting me wait in the room.”. When I got back in October 2023, I spoke with her regarding The Residence. She passed on the Councilman Mutchell’s name and number, and the director of Habitat for Humanity in Charleston. She texted me the address of the church and texted me “come as u are whatever you have” … “I wear jeans shirt or dress sometimes”. I never heard back from her regarding Glenda before she died. That said, she informed me Glenda Ladson (my friend) had died in the afternoon on Monday October 30th, 2023 around noon. After speaking for a while, we got cut off. I texted her at 5:33pm “I guess we got cut off. PLEASE make sure I know when the services are!”. She has, and I thank her for that.
Regarding Glenda Ladson (my friend):
When I saw Christian in a pic from the hospital, I stopped what I was doing and headed to Charleston. On an afternoon in July of 2022, we went to Moe’s Crosstown Tavern for lunch. I hadn’t been, and I like their fried green tomato sandwich. That day, we had seen Geralds house and The Residence. During lunch I told her I’d sell my home and move down if I could stay there and take care of her and Christian. She said ok. I told her it’d take a while but if she could hold on, I’d be there. If I had known she had cancer, I would have been here much sooner. I chose to help my family before I left GA. She always told me not to worry about the time I took. I thought we had PLENTY OF TIME. I asked her “what was the deal with the house?” She said it was hers, in her name, and up to her. I asked what will happen to The Residence when she dies. She said she didn’t know. I asked her if she wanted the home to go to her family. She said she didn’t care as long as Christian lived there, and he was taken care of. I asked her if we could put The Residence in a trust for Christian that I’d manage on his behalf. She said ok. I told her, if she wasn’t going to say anything to her family that had to happen. AGAIN, I thought we had time. I told her I don’t want the house. I said “I just want to make sure Christian lives a MUCH BETTER LIFE”, and that we’d direct the trust to leave it to the Holmes family after he died. Regarding Glenda Ladson’s (now) last wishes, The Residence, and me being here, I have one text to prove her intent and everything aforementioned. On Friday December 23rd, 2022, at 11:43am I texted “I need to know what you want to happen. Asking me not to bring my dog is like asking me to abandon my kid. We’re bonded. It won’t happen. I’ll have the money to restore your mom’s place and make a comfortable home for all of us. My only ask is for a bedroom for me and my dog for the rest of my natural life. If this won’t work for you, I have to make other plans quickly”.
She obviously agreed to my terms.
Glenda, being Glenda, was indifferent to me when I moved the first load here on April 7th, 2023. We saw each other sporadically. I was at The Residence for a reason. Prior to me leaving on May 3rd, 2023, I texted her “I’d like to see you and Christian tonight. Let me know when it’s good. I’ll walk down.” I did. She told me to take the flowers off the porch and lock them up before I go. I forgot when I left. On Thursday May 4th, 2023, she texted “Thanks for leaving the flowers on the porch and thanks for leaving me a key for my house don’t know how long your going to be gone.”
Exhausted and upset I replied to her that evening at 8:37pm with “You fucking welcome !!! For everything I did and EVERYTHING I’ll do. We’re gonna have a come to Jesus when I get back. I want your pastor to be there. Love ya.”.
That “come to Jesus” was regarding The Residence and writing everything down about the renovations to be done, the lawyers and trust to be drawn up, and our shared future for Christian.
REGARDING CHRISTIAN LADSON,
I am not here for the house, save living in it to take care of Christian per Glenda’s wishes. I don’t want anything when I leave of my own volition or upon natural death. If I die in The Residence, most of my possessions can be sold to pay for Christian’s care. I’ll only ask for certain keepsakes and memorabilia to go where I direct it.
Epilogue:
Attached are all evidence of texts and social media I possess from Glenda Ladson. Her intent can easily be measured by her actions and actual conditions, from all events, as laid out in this declaration.
I will happily pay for a lawyer to draw up a trust for Christian Ladson that best accomplishes the wishes of his mother (YOUR FAMILY), Glenda Ladson.
I look forward to working with Glenda’s family to help Christian.
Lastly, Glenda gave me her verbal consent to have Christian appear online and on t.v. to raise money to help them both. No matter what happens between the family and myself in public or privately, this declaration and all events described within will be publicly known through social media, t.v., and to every citizen of our planet, should I so choose.
Peace be with any soul reading these truths. I am not your enemy. I was sent by God for Christian.
Most sincerely and respectfully,
Brian Gambrell
(Camp Bubba / A. Bubba for Christian™)
P.S.
I don’t see our world like most people do. I recognize the light and life of God, the truth in all things, in others. I have always seen God in Christian. I will die making sure he lives the rest of his life with his “best life”.
