Caring hearts give woman new home

Tag : Home Repair Tools
Life was hard for Mae Lou Yeldell when she was young,but the 83-year-old's faith and perseverance have been rewarded.
After years of helping other people in Haskell, the community hasgiven back: Yeldell was recently given a new home.
Many in Haskell know Yeldell as the woman who took care of theirhomes and children, and later, the person who attended to olderresidents.
She grew up during a time of segregation, when people of differentraces didn't mix in public. Yeldell and her family and friends wereforced to enter white people's homes through the back door, weremade to drink from separate water fountains and were required tosit in the back of the bus.
Because the school for blacks only went to the seventh grade, thechances of advancing were limited. Her home was in theless-desirable section of town. Living there made it difficult forYeldell to make the long walk to work.
Her strong religious faith helped sustain her, and she was gratefulfor what she had, especially her family. Her father reminded her toput her life in God's hands, and he would take care of her.
As her house aged, it became more difficult to maintain.
Space heaters were a necessity in the winter. The roof needed to bereplaced, so Yeldell bought the necessary supplies. She assumed shewould live there the rest of her life.
Much to her surprise, Haskell County Judge David Davis approachedher about a year ago about filling out papers so she could applyfor a new house from a federally funded program.
The judge explained that Haskell County had received grant moneyfrom the HOME Program with the help of GrantWorks Inc. in Austinthrough the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
The HOME program provides new housing for qualified applicants fromrural areas. People who are low-income, elderly or disabled andliving in homes damaged beyond repair qualify.
Yeldell, along with five other Haskell County residents, wereaccepted by the program, according to Dianna Hutchens, HOME Programcoordinator/financial specialist.
Before Yeldell knew it, she had moved next door and all of herbelongings had been moved out of the old residence. She wasthankful she was able to return the roofing supplies and receive arefund.
Yeldell watched as the old home where she had lived so long wastorn down. Six months later, she now has a new three-bedroom house.
Decorated tastefully with family pictures, plants and artwork, itis a dream come true for the woman who many regard as one of theprimary caregivers in Haskell.
The icing on the cake was when the children of Marvin Lutz offeredto furnish the new house. Yeldell had taken care of Lutz, and thechildren wanted to thank her in this way.
Stop by Yeldell's home and she will tell you about her family --two daughters, six grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.Three of her grandchildren are college students or graduates.
Yeldell said she rejoices in God's goodness and faithfulness andsaid she hopes to live many more years so that she can fully enjoythe gifts God has given her.