Aid for Judy & Her Generous Family

My name is Tonya, and I am creating this GoFundMe for my mom, Judy Thomas. She has always wanted to tell her story. It's a story of trials, pain, heartache, loss, and misfortune, but it's also a story of love, strength, compassion, selflessness, and perseverance! They are the most giving and selfless people you will ever meet. Everyone comes before themselves. If someone is in need, they give their last dollar, run their vehicle to give a ride, or help to fix a neighbor's leaking sink. Whatever it is, they do not know the word 'No.' But now they need your help! If you were blessed by my parents, would you donate? If you read their story and are touched, will you give something?

Life has not been easy for them. They have worked hard for the little that they have their whole life and are still working at ages 74 & 78! They are trying to survive on social security and are having to continue to work to get some extra income. They do not have enough to pay their utilities, mortgage payment, and credit cards along with feeding themselves, my nephew, and great-nephew that they care for. This GoFundMe is being created to help them raise enough money to hopefully pay off their mortgage and possibly some credit cards, so they have money left for necessities each month. I am praying to also allow them to finally fully retire from working and after 59 years be able to focus on each other!

My parents were married at ages 15 & 19. They haven't stopped raising children since they had my brother 59 years ago! He had spinal meningitis as a baby and now as an adult, he suffers from early onset dementia. My dad built a full-size lighthouse behind their home just because mom wanted one. It is now where my brother lives to be closer to my parents when the time comes that he doesn't remember. My parents had three daughters, but I am the only one left. My sister, Melissa, was murdered at age 21. She left behind three children ages 6, 3, and 3 months. Without hesitation, they took in and raised them as their own. Watching them suffer the pain of losing a child...there are no words. They didn't cry around us. They stayed strong and just made sure we were okay. They tried to make everything normal while they silently carried the pain. The details of how my sister died, what she endured before taking her last breath, and the years to follow, can be a Lifetime movie. But my parents put us and others first. They persevered. My other older sister, Sherry, didn't get to grace this world. She was stillborn at seven months, but my mom was forced to carry a dead baby for weeks and deliver her naturally even though she had c-sections for her other two births. They even placed a mirror at the end of the bed knowing Sherry had died. The horrific treatment can be another story of its own. I am the accident baby that was born with different diseases that didn't make it easy for my parents either, but we won't tell that story! After raising us and their grandchildren, they then took in two great-grandchildren with one still with them. The newest additions are my dad's elderly cousins who need assistance to live on their own and my aunt that they assist with meals and other needs.

My parents have never asked for anything from anyone. They have always been the givers. But now when I talk with my mom, I hear her cry and say, "I'll beg if I have to, we need help!" She read an article about someone that GoFundMe helped and she wants to try. She is asking for your help, whatever you can. I am asking for them because they deserve to have others help them for once, because they have given their whole life to others.