Woman helps neighbor after husband dies from cancer

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A MidSouth woman reached out to WREG to extend a helping hand to a grieving neighbor after her husband’s lengthy cancer battle. The two kept in touch during his treatments and when he passed, she wanted to do more.

Ida Taylor lives in rural Byhalia, Mississippi, and for more than 20 years she’s lived next to Frank and Bonnie Hart. Frank battled lung and brain cancer for a year before recently passing away.

“It just took a lot of money from them, and he hadn’t worked in a while,” said Ida. “She told me, ‘Mrs. Ida, I’m kind of struggling.”

Mrs. Ida wanted to help the Hart family because Frank was there for everyone. “He cut a tree down for me and limbs and stuff– just whatever. [I’m sure] going to miss him.”

WREG handed over $600, half from us and the other half from our anonymous donor, to Mrs. Ida. She added in another $200 from New Jerusalem Church in Olive Branch.

When Bonnie Hart and her son Buddy arrived home, we were in the yard waiting for them.

“You don’t have any idea what this means,” said Bonnie. “Thank you so kindly. God bless you all. Thank you.”

Bonnie explained what these past few months have been like. “I took him back and forth each and every day, five days a week for two months to radiation and chemo. I always took care of him. I knew that this was our battle, this was our fight. We fought together. We won.”

Frankie was a talented carpenter.

Many of his projects are nothing short of masterful works of art. His family cherishes them and is thankful for all the wonderful memories they made with him and wonderful people, like Mrs. Ida, who have supported them during this time.

“What a neighbor? She always looked out for us,” Bonnie said.

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