Community comes together to help a tornado victim

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Last week, we brought you the story of a Columbus woman who lost everything in the recent tornado.

We met Shirley Ferguson on her 57th birthday outside of her destroyed Railroad Street Apartment.

On that day she felt helpless and loss.

Today, Shirley says she feels completely different.

As we’ve found out, many of our viewers felt and saw Shirley’s pain when we shared her story.

Dozens have been reaching out wanting to know how to get in contact with her and ways they could help.

Shirley said ever since her story aired, life changed.

“God said, ‘Tia, you might cry tonight, but joy is going to come in the morning light, and I believe that.”

What a difference a week has made in Shirley Ferguson’s life.

Ten days ago she had nothing.

Today, she says she is blessed with more than she could ever imagine.

“This smile on my face, I didn’t have it last week and the love people have shown me, that’s what’s put this joy in me.”

When we first met Shirley, her home was gone, claimed by the tornado.

She was exhausted and frustrated, going from agency to agency.

She needed help.

It was her 57th birthday, a year she woke up thinking would be her worst, but now, it’s one she’ll never forget.

It’s because of our viewers and people from as far as Tennessee.

“I’ve done had over 100 calls. I’ve had, I’m talking about over, around maybe like 20 or 30 people just come and donate food clothes.”

Shirley’s daughter also set up a Cash App for her mom to receive donations and because of viewer generosity, she is watching her dream turn into a reality.

She’s in the process of moving into her new home, filled with what she calls, blessings.

“I’m so happy to have a roof over my head, where I can go and see my grand-kids, you know, just sit out and watch TV. We’ve got a yard, a backyard, so they can run around and play, put them out there. I said, ‘God, you knew just what I needed.”

Shirley says everyone, even complete strangers, leave her in awe.

“I would like to tell y’all thank you from the bottom of my heart because the person you see here, is a whole lot different from the one that you saw a week ago, and because of y’all and showing your love to me, my faith in man is restored.”

Shirley also says two churches have adopted her and her family.

She tells us that 57 is the best birthday of all and she appreciates your prayers.