About Raging Phoenix
Raging Phoenix has a powerful story that we hope can spread awareness for Victims of Domestic Violence.
I am the granddaughter of a domestic violence victim who was murdered.
This story begins, September of 1982. Violet Margaret Jean (Jeannie) Huddleston (Mama Jean), had left her abuser. She was able to leave with her 11 year old daughter (abuser is not the father) and move in with her sister. She moved from Denton Tx, to Caddo Tx.
I was only 8 at the time so some details are uncertain. It is my understanding that the abuser convinced Mama Jean she could safely return to get her belongings.
On September 17, 1982, Jeannie decided to make the trip to get her things. She stopped in Ranger Tx to see her daughter (my mom). Jeannie ask her daughter to go with her, but she was unable to go because she had to be home when I got out of school.
Jeannie left Ranger sometime that afternoon. At some point later that night, I was asleep on the couch. My mom woke me up and said, Jerry murdered Mama Jean. As an 8 year old, that did not register so I went back to sleep.
Just to clarify, Mama Jean was everything to me. She was who I felt safe and most at peace with. September 18th, forever changed my life as I come to realize what had actually happened.
The following information is from my 8 year old memory, newspaper articles and police reports.
From the afternoon she said goodbye to my mom, until my mom was notified of her death, we do not know what happened in between. We do not know the actual circumstances or the torture Mama Jean went through.
We do know that someone noticed the house was on fire and called for help.
This witness, per his statement to police, went to the house to make sure no one was in there. He knew small kids lived there and wasn’t sure if we were there or not. I did not live there but I was always there.
As this witness approached the house he heard someone yelling Jeannie. It was Jerry.
Again, per the witness statement, Jerry and the witness tried to get in the front door. Jerry is still yelling Jeannie, Jeannie. They were able to get the door open just enough to see that someone was on the floor in front of the door. They were unable to enter so they went to the back door. Jerry was able to enter the back door but due to the intense heat and smoke from the fire, he had to back out.
Finally the fire department and police arrived. Once the fire was extinguished, it was discovered that there was a deceased person at the front door.
Mama Jean was found with duct tape around her face, and her hands and feet were bound together.
Very obvious foul play was involved. Jerry Glenn Sublett, murdered Violet Margaret Jean Huddleston. She died from smoke inhalation and burns. She was alive when the fire started.
Jerry spoke with 2 separate detectives on scene. He told one he had gone to his moms house to get a vcr, and told another he went to get a radio.
Jerry Sublett was arrested on scene, charged with murder and released on $25,000 bond.
That’s it. THE END……..
I have zero details about why he was never taken to trial. Jerry died sometime in the 90’s. A decade went by without Justice.
I have lived 40 years wondering why? This has bothered me, intensely.
As the 40th year approaches, I am lead to tell her story. She did not get Justice. She deserves to be noticed and through her, my hope is to help others in a similar situation.
I am committed to providing assistance and resources to other to honor her.
We are still in the very early stages but my mission is to donate a portion of proceeds from Raging Phoenix, in her name.
I will donate locally to our youth for the Spirit Gear we will offer. For our Exclusive graphic tees a portion of the proceeds will be set aside to help victims of domestic violence. I am researching local organizations to donate to. I will update once I have a definitive plan in place.
If you or someone you know need immediate help, please call your local authorities or the National Hotline 800-799-7233 or text start to 88788.
We will also be implementing additional resources in cases of emergency where the victim may be unable to contact outside assistance.
I hope we can encourage you to be more aware of signs to look for. We can all do better to make sure someone we love isn’t taken from us.
Now to share why we are Raging Phoenix.
The phoenix is an immortal bird associated with Greek mythology (with analogs in many cultures) that cyclically regenerates or is otherwise born again. Associated with the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor. Some legends say it dies in a show of flames and combustion, others that it simply dies and decomposes before being born again.
I will rise from the ashes of my grandmother and honor her memory.
Raging Phoenix will spread awareness and resources to help victims and families affected by domestic violence.
Our motto, which was created months before I thought about the Phoenix:
The Hell she’s been through,
Lit the fire within her.
She will always rise stronger than before.
Misti