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LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – It was late May when a mother, her four boys and two dogs escaped their burning College Hill home with their lives. Almost six months later, the Terry family is back in that now much different looking home. Brick walls, beams and rafters still in good order served as the starting spot for the building of the new home the mother and sons moved back into on December 3. Previous story.
Stacey Terry and her boys have dealt with plenty these last three years not to mention the fire. They’ve lost Terry’s parents, Jim and Janet Lane, and on top of that, the loss of their dad and husband Mike. Jim passed away last Christmas.
“God’s been good though he has been testing my faith,” said Terry. She’s been overwhelmed as well as encouraged by the outpouring of support since the fire. “I’ve had strangers come up to me and just hand me money. I was at the Walmart one day, and a woman came up to me telling me she knew my parents and wanted me to help me,” added Terry. Additionally, fellow members at her church, Cedar Hill Baptist, really stepped up for Terry and the boys.
Firefighters kept the 500-gallon propane tank that still sits near the home as well as the out building safe from the fire. Many family memories and items went up in flames in the home where Terry grew up. However, a few months before the fire, Terry just happened to take a lot of family memorabilia to the out building to make more room in the house.
In the rebuild, the former garage, where the electrical fire actually started, is now part of the living space. Two bedrooms and an additional bathroom were the result. “It sure gives us a lot more room, and I like that,” said Gavin, one of Terry’s boys.
After the original build in 1961, the new home that now sits on Lakeshore Lane will once again be full of celebration, laughter and appreciation from Eli, Elliott, Gavin, Colby and mom, Stacey Terry this Christmas weekend. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/24/2021-6AM)