JOPLIN, Mo. —
Before May 22, 2011, life had been good to 2630 S. Wall Ave.
Homer Miller’s parents were the first to live in the charming, Craftsman-style bungalow built of Carthage stone in 1938 by local contractor Floyd Fryer.
Homer was born a year later. He soon walked the gravel street a few blocks to Irving Elementary School, and later rode his bicycle to South Middle School. His uncle, for whom he was named, lived across the street at 2702 S. Wall Ave.
Homer Miller would move out when he turned 21, but his father and mother would remain in the home until their deaths. Now 73, Homer owns Homer’s Hearing Aids.
Tomie Avant, a Carl Junction attorney, eventually moved into the home in 2002, and took on projects to make it her own: She pulled out carpet to reveal original hardwood floors, painted the kitchen and front bedroom, and sewed cushions for the swing on the long front porch.
Her mother, Eloise Lamoreaux, and stepfather, Gale, moved into the house across the street — the one that had been owned by Homer’s uncle. It was easy to have them close by when they wanted help with a TV remote control or needed a jug of milk to be picked up from the store.
The tornado leveled it all.
Avant relied on her daughters, friends and church family to help salvage what they could, and eventually found another place to live.
“I loved it here,” Avant said last week of life at the corner lot. “Absolutely loved it. I have vivid memories of how it used to be.”
She then gestured to where her home used to sit.
“I couldn’t build here myself,” she said. “I just couldn’t take on all of that, dealing with builders, codes, everything.”
Avant was watching with tears in her eyes as volunteers raised walls on a new home being built on the lot — the Habitat for Humanity home that will belong to Ed and Angela Kunce. Avant is affiliated with the “Justice League,” a group of attorneys, law enforcement officers, court clerks, judges and others who are sponsoring the home’s construction. She chose to donate the lot to the project.
She also left a message of hope for the new owners, written on a 2x4 that has already become part of the front wall of the new home.
“God bless you and your wonderful family. I pray that you have as many happy memories in your home as I did in mine. My love and prayers go to you and your family.” It was dated “10-8-12.”
Avant said she also kept a piece of the original home for herself — Carthage stone salvaged from the rubble.
“I want to use it some day to build a fire pit at my new place,” Avant said. “Or to build something. I just couldn’t let it go.”
May 2011 Joplin tornado
Related Photos
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Tomie Avant leaves a message for the future owner of the Habitat for Humanity home under construction at 2630 S. Wall Ave. The framing went up last week. Globe | Roger Nomer
Discussion
Former homeowner donates lot, leaves behind message of hope
- May 2011 Joplin tornado
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FACES OF RECOVERY: 176,869 volunteers help put Joplin together again
They initially came in droves, pouring into Joplin by the thousands during the months following the May 2011 tornado to clear debris, clean up damaged homes and businesses and distribute donations of food, water, clothing and other necessities.
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SLIDESHOW: One year later, One day of unity, updated
Photos from a day of events commemorating the May 22, 2011 tornado anniversary
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Therapy dogs
Any question that Louie was bred to put people as ease is put to rest when the golden retriever trots over to where a visitor sits and puts his head on their knee, the dog’s eyes filled with a gentle affection.
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Nova Kluseman and Jeanne Morrow
Nova Kluseman has staked her claim on Wednesdays at the Mercy medical office clinics where she volunteers. The staff at Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri will know it’s Thursday when they see Jeanne Morrow walk through the door.
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Greentree Community Church
Every two months, Joplin plays host to some now-familiar faces. They’re members of Greentree Community Church in St. Louis, and they have “adopted” the city as one of their mission projects since the tornado.
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Virginia Laas
Virginia Laas isn’t an accountant or bookkeeper by trade. But when the tornado caused significant damage to Joplin Schools, and subsequently spurred a massive landslide of donations to the district, Laas voluntarily stepped into those roles to fill a need that administrators were too busy to handle.
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Rebecca Williams
Two years after the tornado, Rebecca Williams remains committed to helping people around the world keep up with the progress that has been made in Joplin.
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Community Outreach Team
While it didn’t yet have a formal name, the seeds of Freeman Health System’s Community Outreach Team were planted in the hours following the tornado.
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Jewish Disaster Response Corps
“Tikkun olam” is Hebrew for “repairing the world,” and the concept — of service to others, of helping those in need — is prevalent in Judaism.
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Dorothy Maples
Dorothy Maples always felt a calling to volunteer, whether it was participating in a fundraiser or giving a hand to help someone in need.
- More May 2011 Joplin tornado Headlines
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