Support Kathy's Journey to Find a New Home

On the evening of May 16th, 2025, my sister had to relive a scene of devastation that she experienced 3 years prior.

Her tiny house that she called home went up in flames. She was outside when she heard an explosive "pop," and all the outside lights went out.

She saw what appeared to be a light on in her house, but when we opened the door, flames were climbing the walls.

Kathy went inside, calling her two beloved dogs, Butters (the mom) and Bob (her son). It was just too hot, and we couldn’t get to them.

Losing them, as she puts it...is the most heartbreaking grief she's had to deal with.

She's retired and moved to the Smokys because she said that she’s always felt closer to God here.

Kathy found out that she did have insurance on the tiny house, but it only covers the balance she owed on it.

Since the fire, she's been living in her car in her driveway. I don't know how she does it, waking up and going to sleep in front of the ashes and remnants of the house she called home. The smell of burnt wood and everything is all around her.

My nephew, her youngest son (he's 28), is legally blind. She's been trying to find him an assisted living facility.

Her other 4 dogs are still with her.

She's always been there for anyone who needed anything. She's doing her best to stay strong; nobody deserves to have to go through this.

I'm hoping she might feel the love and the empathy from the community, her family, and friends in this life-changing tragedy.

Any amount would be so helpful with getting some temporary shelter. Little things like pots and pans or an electric frying pan. She would never abandon her dogs, and finding a pet-friendly rental is going to be difficult.

She said she wants to relocate. And, knowing that everything she owned is gone…doesn’t come close to the emptiness and pain she's going through from hearing her dogs cry for help, yet being unable to reach them.

The Fire Marshall said more than likely it was an electrical issue, but the investigation is still open.

I hope I can do my part by trying to raise some money, as to lighten the weight on her shoulders.

Thank you for sharing this link and for taking the time to read this.

Michael Robert Parrish