Couple 'Responding In Kindness' To Ferris Woman's Need

FERRIS (CBSDFW.COM) - Jackie Kimbrell couldn't wait to move into her renovated home, but she will have to.

"We thought I would be moving in this afternoon," says Kimbrell "I'm so disappointed."

In the summer of 2010 the City of Ferris wanted to bulldoze the house, saying it was unsafe and an eyesore.

"We said we would help her," says Duane Tippit from Kennedale "And we are not done yet."

Tippit and his wife had never met Kimbrell.

They watched her trying to save her house and wanted to do something. They even took out a loan to help the 73-year-old. "I knew it could be beautiful," says Cheryl Tippit "I thought it was diamond in the rough."

After convincing the city that they could do the work, the couple found volunteers to help with the roof, plumbing, electrical work and the painting.

Several volunteers backed out originally, but they ended up with a group that helped them all the way. "This was a lady that needed some help and no one would help her.  We were blessed with work and we decided to give back to the community," says Chad Cross with CLC Roofing out of Coppell "We are glad to play a small role in this."

Silvester Garcia with Garcia Plumbing from Ennis says he remembers getting a call from Tippit one day and just knew then he had to step in, "I knew she was in bad shape and they needed a hand."

In 90 days the group transformed the historic home built in 1913 from an eyesore to a newly renovated home. Sherwin-Williams and McSweeney Commercial Painting from Euless helped with all the painting. "I'm glad we could do it for her. I don't regret it at all," says Cheryl Tippit as she holds back tears.

Even the City of Ferris is surprised. "It went from one of the worst looking houses to the one of the best looking houses on that block," says City Manager Eric Strong. "We are thrilled that they have made so much progress in such a short amount of time."

Even though the house is done, Kimbrell can't move in yet. The city says the garage, which isn't attached to the house, is not done. "The agreement said when everything was 100 percent completed she could go back in," explains Strong.

The volunteers now have 30 days to fix the garage. Meanwhile, Kimbrell will have to keep finding a place to stay. "It's done and I can't be in here enjoying this beautiful home it just seems impossible to me," says Kimbrell.

The Tippits say they were so inspired they decided to start a non-profit called Responding in Kindness.

The goal of the organization is to help the elderly and underprivileged with home repairs.