The Alabama Baptist Online

Hale, Cahaba assoc. rebuild homecomment (0)

March 8, 2012

Relatives, friends, neighbors and volunteers from Hale and Cahaba Baptist associations built a home for someone who lost hers to a tornado April 27, 2011.

On that stormy day, Willa Dean Cook’s home was one of six, along with a Methodist church, destroyed in the vicinity of New Hope Baptist Church, Moundville, in Hale Association.

But through the efforts of her son-in-law Butch Hardy, Hale and Cahaba associations Director of Missions Bill Wallace, contractor Glynward Coley, lead carpenter Grady Montz and many volunteers, Cook now has a 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom home.

Cook, who attends New Hope Baptist, was able to purchase the necessary materials and volunteers gave their time to the project, said Hardy, who also attends New Hope and lost his home in the storm.

“I was glad I could help,” said Montz, who attends Pine Grove Baptist Church, Brent, in Cahaba Association.

He found it “exciting” to work with volunteers and was impressed with the number of people willing to serve.

Coley, who attends Siloam Baptist Church, Marion, in Cahaba Association, believes this endeavor exemplifies local missions.

“The local folks built that house,” he said.

Construction began in August and Cook moved into the home in November, Hardy said. 

When Cook saw her home taking shape, it brought tears to her eyes.

“It was just great. It was just wonderful. It was such a blessing,” she said.

And “it’s really pretty,” Cook said of her new home.  

(TAB)