|
|
Published May 09, 2009 08:36 pm - Crawling into the bathtub, Joyce Cox heard the roof tear off her home. “I thought, ‘It’s a good time to pray, I’m already on my knees,’ ” Cox said.
Memories, scars remain from tornado
By Melissa Dunson
mdunson@joplinglobe.com
Crawling into the bathtub, Joyce Cox heard the roof tear off her home.
“I thought, ‘It’s a good time to pray, I’m already on my knees,’ ” Cox said.
Seconds later, Cox opened her eyes. Her bathroom had fallen in around her. Through a small opening in the debris, she saw dark clouds swirling overhead.
“I know it’s strange, but I remember thinking, ‘I don’t want to be in a tornado,’” she said.
Cox and her neighbors were first in the line of fire a year ago today, after a tornado that touched down east of Welch, Okla., pounded through three counties.
When it was over, 21 people were dead from a single tornado. Hundreds were injured.
It flattened Cox’s home, killed her sister-in-law, Chizuri Cox, 80, also of Picher, and dealt what she considers the final blow to her hometown.
In all, 160 homes were destroyed in Picher and six people died.
A year later, Cox said she tries — without success — to forget May 10, 2008.
“You try not to think about it, but people keep bringing it back up,” she said.
In Missouri, Roy Seward, of Newtonia, was at the far end of that same tornado’s path. He said he can’t sleep recently. Every time it thunders, he looks up, half smiling, half wincing. It reminds him of the day a year ago when that tornado hit his house while he and his wife Dottie were inside.
“The wind never really bothered me before, but there’s got to be some type of trauma still there, because I just feel real alert right now,” Dottie said one day last week as more storm clouds were brewing in a bruised sky. “Everybody around here is real tense right now.”
Heads up
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
TAX PREPARERS
needed in Joplin, Webb City, Carthage, and Neosho. Seasonal FREE TRAINING For more information, call 24 hour...>MORE
LOCAL YARD WORK
1ST SHIFT We are a specialized carrier seeking an individual at our Baxter Springs, KS location. Duties include F...>MORE
TRAVEL U.S.A.
TRAVEL U.S.A. Publication sales company hiring 18 sharp enthusiastic individuals to travel the U.S. Travel, training, l...>MORE
BODY TECHNICIAN
Carthage AUTO PLAZA is looking for a body technician/painter. I-Car certification is required. Come by and fill out an a...>MORE
EXPERIENCED FULL TIME AUTO TECH
EXPERIENCED Full time Auto Repair Tech for very busy repair shop! Apply at Iveys Service Center, 301 E. 7th, Joplin...>MORE
OWNER OPERATORS
with equipment for truck and trailer, drive in or reefer. 624-2755...>MORE
ROUTE REPRESENTATIVE
Route REPRESENTATIVE Odor control and commercial hygiene service route. Monday-Friday. Benefits, incentives, company v...>MORE
CARE COMPANIONS FOR SENIORS
Care companions for seniors. CNA experience helpful but not necessary. Older workers please apply. Must be able to work ...>MORE
WALLER TRUCK COMPANY
Waller Truck Company is now seeking Company and Lease Drivers. Call Recruting today at 1-800-821-2196 or apply today onl...>MORE
CMA
cma with insulin certification. Whispering Pines, (417)781-0099....>MORE
See all ads |
|
LAND ROVER 2003 DISCOVERY
LAND ROVER, 2003 Discovery, 51,000 miles, all wheel drive, leather, heated seats all power new tires $9,500/best offer ...>MORE
VOLKSWAGEN 2006 CONVERTIBLE
Volkswagen 2006 convertible, 13,000 miles, perfect condition $15,500 206-6809...>MORE
TOYOTA 1994 T100
TOYOTA, 1995 T100, extended cab, 4x4, high miles, $3950. (417)843-2613....>MORE
MAZDA 2000 B4000
Mazda, 2000 B4000 extended cab, V6, automatic, loaded-nice, $3450. 434-5503....>MORE
1993 120FL FREIGHTLINER
1993 120FL Freightliner, day cab, 572,541 miles, twin screw, 60 series Detroit, 9 speed Fuller, air ride and 2000 step d...>MORE
CHRYSLER, 2001 TOWN
and Country Limited, excellent condition, power everything. $1000 below book, $3925. (417)623-2212 ...>MORE
1993 BLAZER, TAHOE
1993 Blazer, Tahoe, 4x4, full size, 2 door, needs engine, loaded, $1500. 208-6717...>MORE
PONTIAC, 2005 AZTEK
Pontiac, 2005 Aztek, all wheel drive, V-6, 65,000 miles, DVD, great mpg, loaded, excellent condition. $9800/trade. 624-3...>MORE
FORD 2003 TAURUS
FORD, 2003 Taurus, silver, 95,000 miles, premium sound, leather, sunroof, 6 CD. $3,600. 417-438-4252....>MORE
MAZDA, 1996 626,
4 door, sharp, $1875 loaded automatic, fancy wheels. 437-4424...>MORE
See all ads |
|
2802 MASSACHUSETTS, JOPLIN
2802 Massachusetts, Joplin You won't believe the price! 3 bedroom, new central heat and air, new roof, appliances.. Cl...>MORE
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-5 P.M.
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-5 p.m. New construction, 3 BR, 2 BA, 3 car garage, newer neighborhood, mature trees, 3 minutes from...>MORE
2 BR, 1 BA,
excellent location, 208 E. Lexington, Jasper, $325. (417)830-0873....>MORE
525 E 41ST FOR SALE AT AUCTION
525 E. 41ST, Joplin, MO will be offered for sale at Auction Saturday, December 5th 9:30 AM AAA Auctions Bob 417-...>MORE
ATTRACTIVE 4 BR ORONOGO
attractive, comfortable 4 br, 3 ba, 2-level, 2600 sq. ft. home. Greystone Subdivision, $194,900. 103 Jason Blvd., Oronog...>MORE
LEASE/PURCHASE
Executive Home, 4 br, 3 ba, 3000 sq. ft. on 5 acres. 605-521-0971...>MORE
3BR, ALBA
3 BR, 1 ba, 1 car gar, large fenced yard, Alba $550+ deposit. Hud ok 417-540-4674...>MORE
2 BR COTTAGE
2 BR COTTAGE, small but cute, all electric, small down, $450. Owner finance. 609 W. 15th. 417-439-4104....>MORE
See all ads |
|
1999 19' SUN CHASER
1999 19’ Sun Chaser, tandems, air, awning, sleeps 6, self contained. See at Community Mobile Park, Miami, OK. $5500 or b...>MORE
ROTTWEILERS
ROTTWEILERS,champion bloodlines. Dachshunds and Boxers. All AKC 918-784-2652, 918-541-8800...>MORE
SIBERIAN HUSKY
Siberian Husky - female, 2 years old; Husky mix - female, 2 years old. Both spayed, housebroken, and vaccinated. Very en...>MORE
DOBERMAN PUP
Doberman pup, ACA, black/tan, male, 11 weeks, neutered. (620)922-3531....>MORE
TILT UTILITY TRAILER
TILT UTILITY TRAILER, 5x8, heavy duty, $400. (417)624-4757....>MORE
PLASTIC LIGHT UP YARD
plastic light up yard decorations for all holidays! 620-362-3020 leave message....>MORE
NICE BEAGLE PUPS,
shots/wormed, $35/$40. Delivered? (417)439-3647...>MORE
COCKER SPANIEL PUPPIES
COCKER SPANIEL Puppies For SALE. Registered with shots, Buff Color. Call for Information (620)-856-1946...>MORE
CLOSE OUT PRICES
close OUT prices on beads, jewelry, and Longaberger products. Bring this ad for 10% off beads and jewelry. Saturday, Nov...>MORE
WHITE WICKER HENRY LINK SOFA
White wicker Henry Link sofa, Pier 1 wicker love seat and chair, Singer sewing machine in cabinet, large picture, floor ...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|