On Friday, May 16, a devastating EF3 tornado tore through St. Louis, destroying the home my family has cherished for nearly 50 years. In just minutes, a place filled with decades of love, laughter, and memories was reduced to rubble—and the auto repair shop next door, run by my stepfather, Mr. Melvin, also suffered major damage, including a collapsed roof.

This is more than just the loss of a house. It’s the disruption of a legacy.

My mother and father bought this home in 1978. After my father passed in 1985, my mother remained in the home, raising our family with strength and grace. When she married my stepfather in 1990, they continued to live there, deeply rooted in the Fountain Park–Lewis Place neighborhood they love and serve.

My mother is the secretary of the Fountain Park–Lewis Place community group, where she works tirelessly to help preserve and uplift the neighborhood. Mr. Melvin has been a pillar of the community for more than 35 years, running his auto repair shop with integrity and care for generations of customers who know and love him.

Now, they face the unimaginable task of starting over—finding a new place to live, furnishing it, replacing appliances, clothing, and restoring what they can of their life's work.

We’re asking for your support—not just to meet their immediate needs, but to help them begin the long and difficult journey of rebuilding their lives and continuing their work in the community they’ve poured so much into.

Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference. And if you’re not able to give financially, we ask that you please share this fundraiser with others.

Thank you for standing with us during this time of loss and transition. Your prayers, love, and support mean the world.

With gratitude,

The Owens, Crawford, and Williams Siblings