Mother, kids forced to leave home after storm

A Brewton church is putting faith to action by helping a local family recover after last week’s bout of bad weather.

Jason Shufford, pastor of the Apostolic Truth Tabernacle Church in Brewton, said the church is helping the family of Patricia Culliver. Culliver’s home was damaged when a giant oak tree fell on the roof, tearing into the property. Fortunately, no one in the home was injured.

Culliver lives at the house located on 116 Gowan Street with six of her children, who’s ages range from kindergarten to high school. Culliver’s eldest daughter, Jasmine, is a freshman at the University of North Alabama and was away from the home at the time.

Shufford said it enlisted the help of Buck’s Tree Service to remove the tree the following day after the storm.

“(Buck’s Tree Service) has been a big help,” Shufford said. “They gave us an excellent price, because removing the tree was no easy feat. The Red Cross has given some assistance as well. They have been a big help.”

The Red Cross assisted the family with living arrangements following the storm.

Upon the removal of the tree and cleaning of debris, further issues were found at the home.

Shufford said the house is in bad condition, and believes just the fix to the roof will not be enough for the family.

“With the damage the house is in terrible condition,” Shufford said. “It’s beyond anything I’ve seen. It can be fixed. But it’ll take a full crew. It’s a bad situation.”

The church has secured lodging at Colonial Manor in Brewton for the Culliver’s up until Thursday.

The Red Cross has offered to pay first month’s rent and utilities for the Culliver’s when they find a new home.

Still, Shufford believes the young family needs something more permanent. Culliver is unemployed, and the house was not insured.

“We want to find something long term,” Shufford said. “We have to look past just being able to get her family into something, then find out she won’t be able to make payments three to four months down the line. If we do that, that will only be delaying the inevitable.”

Apostolic Truth Tabernacle is doing all it can, and is open to any donations to help the Cullivers.

“Things can always be worse,” Shufford said. “It’s a blessing the family is okay. Now we got to buckle down and get things done. God is going to help.”

Donations on behalf of the Cullivers can be mailed to Apostolic Truth Tabernacle, 330 Crenshaw Street, Brewton, AL, 36426; or stop by The Brewton Standard located at 407 St. Nicholas Avenue.

To reach out to help, contact Shufford at 251-363-5080.