For years, Christine Marshall slept in her car after a tree destroyed her home in Memphis, Tennessee. Now, the 82-year-old has moved into a newly built, fully furnished house in South Memphis after a wave of community donations and local support.
A neighbor first raised concern after spotting Marshall sleeping in the heat near a damaged structure in Memphis. The situation was reported to local news station WREG, which brought attention to her living conditions and sparked public support.
As the story spread, help started coming in. Memphis contractor Jason Smith stepped forward after seeing the report and began coordinating donated materials and labor to rebuild a home for her.
At the same time, Marshall’s son launched a GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly $80,000 to support her needs.
Marshall moved into her new home on South Parkway in South Memphis on Monday. The house was built through donations and community effort on the same property where she had lived for 30 years before a neighbor’s tree destroyed her home.
The next day, Marshall toured the finished home and expressed gratitude while speaking in a whisper due to throat cancer. She said, “It’s what I’ve always wanted,” as she looked around the rooms.
Members of Mt. Zion AME Church also honored Marshall before the home was completed. The church is near her former house, and leaders said they did not know she had been living in her car until her story came out. Despite her situation, she continued to give during church services.
Marshall later reflected on the support she received and said, “I love them. There are no words to say what I feel.”
Read more from WREG.
