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Revisiting the scenes on tornado anniversary by Gwen Bolin--gbolin@journalenterprise.com Bill Collins sifts through the debris in the aftermath of last year's tornado. Today, Collins and his wife Jean have another mobile home at the same site. April 28, 2002 an F3 tornado ripped its way through Providence and altered lives in the process. One year later things are still not back to normal. But progress is being made. According to Webster County PVA Jeff Kelley, the final tally of damaged structures is 378. Nearly 150 homes and other buildings were either a total loss or were heavily damaged. Some property owners have rebuilt and some are still in the process. The majority chose to remain in Providence whether they rebuilt or not. “I was concerned the tax base would be way down because of the tornado, but that’s not been the case,” said Kelley. Approximately $7.5 million in acrual cost was destroyed. The result was approximately $4 million in taxable assessment. It has been replaced with approximately $4.7 million in taxable assessment thus far. Each tornado victim has a story to tell. Here are just a few: Bill and Jean Collins A year after the tornado that literally turned their lives upside down, Bill and Jean Collins continue to have vivid memories or the ordeal. “I could hear the storm just keep blowing and knew it was bad,” said Jean. “I was sitting on the mattress with Bill’s clothes in my hand and told him we needed to get up and get dressed. “Next thing I knew we were out in the street still on the mattress when we landed. I guess it blew us out of the trailer when it tore apart. “It’s a good thing it was dark when it happened or we would have both had heart attacks seeing washing machines and refrigerators and all that stuff flying around in the air. “Everything we had was blown away. About all we had left was the commode that landed on my shoulder. and the cedar chest that was on my legs. And believe it or not, my purse was sitting beside me on the mattress. It wasn’t there when we were in the trailer.” For the first three weeks after the tornado, Bill and Jean stayed with Bill’s brother. From there they went to a trailer in Crittenden County that had belonged to Jean’s sister who had recently passed away. The Collinses were one of the fortunate ones as far as getting re-established quickly. They bought the trailer they were living in and had it moved to their lot at 118 Sycamore Street. By the first part of August they were moved in. “It didn’t look like we’d ever get things put back together around here again,” said Jean. “But we have things fixed up and looking nice again now.” According to Jean friends and family members spent several days scanning the area where their trailer had been in search of their belongings. “Everyone has been so good to us,” Jean said. “We were helped so much.” The tornado has left in indelible mark on Bill and Jean’s lives. “You won’t ever get over it. But you just get up and do the best you can everyday,” said Jean. “We’re not frightened to death or anything, but we still think about it a lot. It’s been hard on us all.” Danny and Latisha Syler Little was left standing of Danny and Latisha Syler’s home at 116 Trader Lane in Hudson Meadows. They were one of the many families in Providence displaced after the April 28 tornado After four months of staying in a basement at Danny’s mother’s, Danny, Latisha, and daughters Lista and Landy were delighted to step up to mobile home living while they awaited the completion of their new home. “We knew we were going to rebuild and didn’t want to leave Providence,” said Latisha. “We stayed in the basement but it was a bit cramped. We had everything from both the girls’ college dorm rooms stored there as well. We decided to buy a trailer and live in it until our home was completed.” The weekend of the tornado, the Syler family, except for Lista, was out of town. Lista’s fiancee´, Cy McCulley of Slaughters, had some ball games over the weekend, so Lista stayed home to cheer him on. “We were at the house when we heard the tornado whistle,” recalls Lista. “We went into the closet and it hit. Cy was trying to hang onto the closet door. The wind was trying to pull it out of his hand. “The roof blew off the house and it took the ceiling of the closet too. Things were being sucked out around us. When it was over we were in pretty much the only spot that wasn’t totally damaged. We were very fortunate.” As soon as she could, Lista called her family and told them what had happened. “I could tell by her voice she was okay,” said Latisha. “But we didn’t know what else to expect. When we got home I didn’t even look at the house. I just wanted to get to her.” The Syler’s new home at the old site is nearing completion, but it has been a long process to this point. “The basement slowed down the progress,” said Latisha. “I didn’t want it but I was outvoted three to one. Everyone else thought we should have one in the new house.” Although it has been a very stressful year for the family, they count their blessings daily. “There’s not one day that has gone by since the tornado that we don’t thank God for our lives and our daughter’s lives,” said Latisha. “It’s been hard, but we are very thankful for our blessings.” Gary Parker Gary and C.B. Parker were out of town when the tornado demolished their home at 611 Broadway Street. “My son lives in Paducah and he called to let us know the tornado had hit and pretty much destroyed our house,” said Gary. “We tried to prepare for it, but you really can’t prepare for something like that. It was pretty devastating.” The only salvageable items found were the refrigerator and entertainment center. As horse enthusiasts, the Parkers were also saddened by the destruction of their barn and riding ring as well. The Parkers stayed with Gary’s sister until they could find a place to rent while they rebuilt their home. “We were pretty lucky to find a home to rent in Providence,” said Gary. “We didn’t want to move out of town.” Gary said initially he had tried to secure a local builder to work on their home. However, when it became apparent construction was backlogged for months, he decided to go another route. “It’s a stick-built home, but it came from a factory,” Gary said. Construction of the home began in late September 2002. The couple moved in the first of December even though the house was not quite completed. At the time, C.B. was gravely ill. Less than two weeks later, C.B. died. “We got into the house before she died,” said Gary. “That’s what she wanted.” The remaining brick work and finishing touches were completed in January 2003. Since that time a new horse barn has been added as well. “Between loosing C.B. and the tornado, it’s been a hard year,” said Gary. “I just keep doing what I have to do. I hope this year is much better.” Simpson Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian On Easter Sunday the congregation of Simpson Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church held their first communion service in their new building. The congregation had been displaced since losing its church in the April 28, 2002 tornado. Although they have been without a building up to this point, the “church” remained. “We haven’t missed a service except for the Sunday of the tornado,” said Elder Mary Powell. The tornado completely destroyed the church’s historic 1912 building located at 307 Finley Street. The first Sunday after its loss, the congregation met with a sister church in Providence, First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. After that they began holding services in the Masonic Excellent Lodge No. 44 on Westerfield Drive. According to Powell, although the old structure was under-insured, the congregation never doubted they would rebuild. “There has been such a wonderful outpouring of support from the community and even strangers,” said Powell. “The outpouring helped keep our hope alive of a future for our church.” Ground-breaking ceremonies for the new building were held in late August. Construction of the new structure began in the fall. On Sunday, April 27, a dedication service in the building will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. “It’s seemed like a long haul,” Powell said. “But now that the building is finally done, it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long. But it will be one more transition for us.” Members of the congregation are excited about the future in their new building. Considering the needs of the older congregation, the structure is on one level and is handicap accessible. A larger fellowship hall is also a plus in the new building. However, the congregation still has a few challenges to meet. “We are still working on replacing some of the small items we lost in the tornado,” said Powell. “We also need to replace our instruments. But we know it will all work out. We have been truly blessed.” E-Mail this article to a friend.

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