Selma residents have homes rebuilt by Samaritan's Purse after tornado

Several residents of Selma have had their homes rebuilt or have had new ones built by Samaritan's Purse more than a year after the EF2 tornado wrought destruction throughout the community. 

Samarian's Purse is currently in the process of building 10 new homes and making repairs to 12 others. 

According to an update on the organization's website one of these was Lewis Sharpe, 49, whose home was destroyed at that time. Afterwards he was homeless and was forced to stay either in abandoned buildings or people willing to take him in. 

However, he received help from Samaritan's Purse, which built him a new home with help from volunteers. 

“When the storm hit me, it just shut me down,” Lewis told those who helped him. “Now, I have a new home and a new life. It’s bringing me back hope. Nobody ever did nothing for me like this. I’m back on my feet again. I thank all of you.”

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Rev. Benny Tucker, 83, lives near Sharpe and was active during the Civil Rights Movement, being present at Bloody Sunday. His house served as a gathering place for activists and was damaged by the tornado. 

His is one of the homes that was repaired. 

Inetta Taylor, 44, and her mother, Alene Scott, 79, also live near Sharpe.

“The tornado destroyed both of our houses, which were side by side,” Inetta Taylor said. “My roof was completely off. The house was twisted off the foundation. My mom’s house was caved in. The ceiling and the roof were gone. You could see the sky from inside.”

They are both receiving new homes from Samaritan's Purse.