Paranormal group finds ghosts at PA house

Debby Schamber

A local paranormal group recently went on a little soul searching adventure and found what they were looking for at a Port Arthur residence.

Marsha Zumo-McGee called S.O.U.L.S. (Searching Out and Uncovering Lost Spirits) Paranormal for confirmation of what she already knew to be true at her residence in the 800 block of Colorado Street.

McGee had lived there most of her life in the family home which was built in 1955. However, she was 13 years old when she first experienced life from the other side.

McGee said she was laying in bed when her great-grandmother came to her room. McGee said she grabbed her and started pulling on her arm.

“She said, ‘I want you with me’”,” McGee said. “I was scared since I didn’t want to go with her since she was dead.”

Frightened from the experience, McGee went to her mother. Her mother explained the family has always been “sensitive” to such occurrences.

Now, many years later the things that go bump in the night are part of every day life.

“It’s always been a part of my life and I was taught to accept it,” McGee said.

As she lays down in her bed at night, she feels as of she is being “poked” and the bed is shaking as though it is being kicked. Also, music was a big part of her mother’s life and she had placed speakers on the wall in the bedroom. Bertha Zumo died in August 2007, but as McGee rests her head on her pillow, she hears big band music as she drifts off to sleep — although she didn’t turn it on.

One night, while laying in bed with her 2-year-old grandson, Ayden, he was complaining he was being poked on his back. She placed her hand in the spot where he had complained and felt what he had been talking about.

Over the years, McGee says she has seen shadows and hears voices. One of which she believes is a 3-year-old girl. McGee has heard the girl singing, “la-la-la.” She added, “she really likes to sing a lot.”

“She also hollers ‘ma-maw’ too,” McGee said. “I see and hear her the most.”

One night she thought she heard a child crying and thought it was Ayden. However, when she checked on him, he was sound asleep. McGee thinks it was the little girl crying instead.

McGee feels there are other children in the house as well. McGee said she thinks “Billy” is responsible for some of the mayhem such as kicking the bed and moving toys.

McGee is not alone in her ghostly experiences. Her husband Brian has also been visited by family members of her past. While he was standing in the bathroom, Brian McGee said he clearly saw Bertha Zumo in the dress she was wearing for her funeral. The figure was leaning over the counter as if searching for perfume. When he turned to call for Marsha, the figure disappeared.

“My mother loved this house,” Marsha McGee explains.

Bertha Zumo suffered a stroke and was placed in a nursing home, she said.

“She didn’t want to leave and I think she is here keeping an eye on things,” said Marsha McGee.

During a recent collection of Electronic Voice Phenomenon by SOULS Paranormal, Marsha McGee heard the familiar voice of her mother. The ghostly voice said on the recording, “Marsha!”

“I knew I was hearing it,” Marsha McGee said. “I just needed to know it wasn’t all my imagination.”

Brian McGee has not only had experiences with his mother-in-law, but with Billy as well.

Just a few weeks ago he was standing in the living room area when he saw bright lights swirling around photos of family members which were hanging on the wall. About that time he also saw a shadow dart around in the kitchen.

At that point, he decided he needed a break. So, he stepped outside to smoke a cigarette.

When he returned he was shocked to find Ayden’s big toy cars and trucks lined out in a horseshoe shape on the floor, Marsha McGee said.

“It kind of bugged him,” she added.

SOULS Paranormal also captured other voices and sounds as well. One of which causes Marsha McGee to chuckle because the words heard are definately him.

Her late grandfather was a sheriff of the Lakeview area which since then has been annexed by the city of Port Arthur. An EVP was recorded of her grandfather talking on a police radio. What makes this one unique is the beep of the feedback from the radio. Also heard is an additional voice which sounds like its coming from the radio as if it were a conversation.

“I was really shocked to hear the police radio,” she said.

Jodi Peacock and Tammi Roy, founders of SOULS Paranormal, along with their team members go into an investigation looking for a “reasonable solution” to people’s experiences.

“We are looking for a legitimate, reasonable explanation,” Peacock said. “We are there to document their experience.”

The team arrives at a location to set up all the latest equipment. In tow are infrared cameras, stationary cameras, hand-held mini digital cameras, thermal imaging cameras, electronic voice recorders, digital thermometers and they take still photos as well.

While at a location, they frequently ask a series of questions to the possible spirits and for them to give signs of their presence.

After investigating the Zumo-McGee residence, they reviewed the video and saw a door opening on its own. Through conversations with Marsha McGee, they discovered Bertha Zumo was claustrophobic and didn’t like the doors closed.

Also captured on video was a light being turned on and off twice. The team had no explanation for the occurrence, other than the possibility of it being another paranormal experience.

Peacock and Roy founded their group in July of 2008.

“We strive to be one of the most professional, dedicated and trusted paranormal teams in Southeast Texas,” Peacock said. “This isn't a hobby for us, it's a way of life. We take what we do very seriously.”

For people wanting to know more about paranormal investigating, Roy and Peacock offer classes. The four week class educates students on what an investigator does and gives them techniques to go on an investigation or join a group.

Coming events include a speaking engagement at a Sci Fi expo in Louisiana. Roy and Peacock will be speaking about the scientific approach to investigating the paranormal.

Finally, there will be a SOULSfest Paranormal Convention Oct. 10 at the Julie Rogers Theater. The first of its kind in Southeast Texas, the convention will include speakers such as Rob Henry of West Virginia paranormal, Doug & Shane from NorCal Paranormal and Ghost Talk Radio. Also in attendance will be Steven LaChance, author of the Uninvited and now producer of the documentary “Morse Mill Project.” Donna LaCroix from TAPS, Sci Fi Channel's Ghost Hunters and Ghost Hunters International, Barry Fitzgerald and Shannon Sylvia will also be speakers. In addition, vendors from all over will have technical equipment and thermal cameras.

VIP ticket holders will also participate in a ghost hunt of the Julie Rogers theater.

Additional information on the events or about SOULS Paranormal is available at www.soulsparanormal.com



Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2603 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.

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