Hi, my name is Jimmy Paxton, and I am reaching out because I have reached a point in my life where I am literally at my end and I am without any support.
My story began in 1979, and I was a young man being raised in a family where you literally had to sneak to eat; other times, you had to fight. Although I love my father, I do believe that he could have been a dad. My father was not a dad. I mean, we had our fun, but it was far and between. My father was an alcoholic, and my mother worked her entire life, well, my life anyway. When my father, Woodrow Russell Paxton, died in 1980, I was in the workhouse at 7600 Hall Street in Saint Louis, Missouri. My life was truly dictated by my father's love for me, and he was so very abusive. I'm not blaming him for my current situation, but he was never there. As a consequence, I spent time in prison since 1979. I came home in 2021.
I wanted something different for myself because I learned that if you keep doing what you're doing, you're going to keep getting what you get. A close brother who's been sober for 37 years now instilled that in me. I grew up and realized that the lifestyle I was living wasn't going to work, and I wanted something different for myself. The Department of Corrections doesn't offer any kind of trade. Now I realize that God had a plan for me. After being locked up all those years, I went through some traumatizing situations which have scarred me for life.
Let's back up. Prior to coming home, I wanted something different for myself, and I pursued the only thing available, a G.E.D., and that fell through. I was illiterate, but I basically taught myself by the beginning was the school of hard knocks. When I came home, the Lord blessed me with a Christian lady who lost her husband, Bob, and I feel her pain and accept the fact that nobody can be her Bob. I knew him vaguely and could not fill his shoes. Although I'm not Bob, I love Shirley and accept the fact that she has a spot in heaven next to Bob.
My entire reason for this GoFundMe is because I am struggling to get my lawn care business going. However, I saved and saved for a pickup truck. I was working lawn care and trying to save money because when I came home from prison, I wasn't given any resources at all and had to go to all I knew, which was lawn care, and it became a passion. But my vehicle broke down, so I jumped on a lemon. I took my money, $2,100, and purchased an S.U.V. from a gentleman in Chesterfield, Missouri, on 12-31-25. I drove it 300 feet and fell in love with it. I purchased it from a Mr. Melvin William James McKinney in Chesterfield, Missouri, and this man assured me that he was a Christian and assured me that the car was just fine. Him claiming to be a Christian, I accepted the deal and signed the title. As soon as I got home, the overdrive began blinking, which is an indication that something is wrong with the transmission, and I had to park it in my garage. The man was not honest about the car.
I'm kind of in a rock and a hard place and need someone to help. Whatever you contribute is wonderful and going towards a really worthy cause. I've done an inventory of myself, and I may not be where I want to be, but I thank God I ain't where I used to be. My vehicle is just sitting in my garage. I have no means of transportation to several agencies, and each one refused me. I ask for help in the name of Jesus, and nobody will lift a finger to help Shirley and me. We have two little bitty dogs, and our rent is $930.00 a month. That's not including our other bills. We are asking for whatever amount you can find in your heart to send towards transmission repairs. Thank you all for your contributions. May the Lord be with you always!