Dawn Smith Jordan was selected Miss South Carolina in 1986 and was the second runner up to Miss America that year. An event took place the year before that caused an emotional and spiritual earthquake in her life that shook her to the very core of her being. On May 31, 1985, her 17-year-old sister, Sherrie, was kidnapped while walking from her car to the mailbox. She was just two days from her high school graduation.

They didn’t hear anything for a few days and then they received a letter in the mail from Sherrie. It was titled, “Last Will and Testament.” The kidnapper evidently had informed Sherrie he was going to kill her (and he did after he raped her), but allowed her to write this last letter. Here is what it said:

“I love you all so much. Please don’t let this ruin your lives. Just…