NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
An elderly woman will be able to keep her home that was scheduled to be torn down, thanks to the generosity of folks like you.
It's the news Mary Benham has been waiting to hear.
"I'm glad that the people are coming to help me rebuild my house because I love the house and I want to stay there," Benham said.
The 86-year-old widow of late country music singer, Lawrence "Big Slim" Benham will get to keep the house the two lived in for decades. She said there are a lot of memories there.
"My children coming on Easter and Mother's Day," Benham said. "(There's) a lot of memories of me and my husband."
Dozens of people contacted Channel 4 News from as far away as Illinois, wanting to help after we aired the Benham's story last week.
Nick Bozzelli of Green Hills Construction and his two partners are all from East Nashville and wanted to give back.
"The fact that she didn't want to go; it meant a lot for her to stay in the house that she and her husband built," Bozzelli said.
A Facebook page was started and word spread like wildfire.
"Before too long, a lot of my friends, plumbers, electricians kind of jumped on board and wanted to help Ms. Mary," Bozzelli said.
Benham's East Nashville home at 302 Edith St. was condemned by Metro Codes and was scheduled to be torn down.
A storm damaged the wiring and she has been living without electricity since November of last year.
The 800-square-foot house is falling apart, including the flooring and ceiling. The house is death trapped, according to some.
"Electrical, HVAC, leaking roof, structural framing, and foundation problems, " Bozzelli said.
He met with Codes inspectors yesterday and got the necessary permits to renovate the home.
"They were really helpful, trying to help us keep her in her home," Bozzelli said.
Green Hills Construction is doing the project free of charge. They are looking for vendors and supply houses that can donate everything from cabinets, appliances, flooring and even door trim.
Benham is just thankful she will be able to live out her remaining years in the only place in Nashville she has called home.
Green Hills Construction owners will be holding a meeting for anyone who wants to volunteer to help with the renovation. The meeting will be held at Ivy Memorial Baptist Church 425 E. Trinity Lane Saturday at 3 p.m.
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