Career
In 1969 Dascomb, a resident of Danville, Virginia, and freshman at Stratford College, reluctantly competed in the Mission Piedmont Pageant at the urging of college faculty. Dascomb later represented the United States in the 1969 Mission Universe Pageant, placing in the Top 15 but losing to Gloria Diaz of the Philippines. During her reign Dascomb travelled to 100+ cities making appearances as a pageant ambassador and model, including appearances in South America and Europe.
On giving up her crown Dascomb said that she had missed school and her friends and was looking forward to returning to college and being with people who "share views".
Her farewell speech, delivered off the cuff, spoke of her disillusionment with the pageant and said she learned that beauty contests were "all wrapped up in selling - sell me, sell a swimsuit". She was featured on the cover of the magazine"s first issue.
Dascomb was succeeded by Deborah Shelton, also of Virginia, which made Virginia the first state in the pageant"s history to have back-to-back winners. Dascomb later lived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where she attended the University of North Carolina.
As an honors student, she majored in Comparative Religion and Philosophy.
They have three daughters, Millie Dascomb Long, Amanda Kyser Bryan, and Hadley Pirkko Long. Their two sons are Joshua Forrest Pescud Long and William Taylor Bryan. Dascomb and Bryan have six grandchildren.
Dascomb has been a teacher, mentor, tutor, coach, pastry chef, 4-H leader, and coordinator for a therapeutic riding program, and throughout her adult life has been a horse trainer.
She appeared in a recent article in Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe magazine.
