Shelby roofing company provides act of kindness for local widow

A Shelby widow received a free roof on her house Tuesday after a local roofing company found out her story.

After Barbara Glover's husband, Ronnie, died last winter Palmetto Roofing Specialties, which has an upstate South Carolina office and a Shelby office, found out she needed a new roof and decided to take action.

Travis Glover, Barbara and Ronnie's son, said two years ago, Ronnie Glover was diagnosed with non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver and in December of 2023, he lost his battle with the disease.

"While he was bedridden, he was still trying to get everything in order," Travis Glover said.

He said his dad tried to make sure the house was taken care of and in order so his wife wouldn't have to worry about those details, but he wasn't able to before his death.

Travis Glover said his mom was trying to work, pay the bills and had medical bills still coming in, but she needed a new roof.

He said he called Ric Cody, an estimator with Palmetto Roofing Specialties, for an estimate and Cody told him he'd call him back.

When he got that call back, Travis Glover said he was surprised when he was told Palmetto Roofing would be covering the cost of everything at no charge to Barbara.

He said it's hard to express in words what it means to him and his family to be the recipients of the generous act.

John Bolt, owner of the company, said he got a call from Cody about the job and his son, Cooper, measured the roof and said, "why don't we just do it for free."

"Those two were the ones who came up with it," Bolt said.

Travis Glover said Ronnie Glover was an umpire for the YMCA and the city park for more than 30 years.

"He gave his life to baseball and the city park and the wellbeing of kids," he said. "He loved being out there with the kids."

Travis Glover said his dad was just inducted into the Cleveland County Little Tarheel League Hall of Fame.

Bolt said the company believes in supporting local organizations and doing projects like the Glovers' means that 100% of what they do goes directly to somebody in need.

He said the crew was excited to tackle the job, which they completed in half a day.

"We had a great time doing it," he said. "Everyone in the organization gets excited when we do something like this."

Bolt said not only did they put on the roof for free, but they treated the job just like any other and offered a 15-year warranty.

He said it is important for Palmetto Roofing to support their community.

"What better way to give back to somebody than of this magnitude," he said.

Bolt said they opened a Shelby office three years ago, and the community welcomed and supported them, and now they want to do the same.

Travis Glover said the gesture means a lot to his mom who works at the Gaffney, South Carolina hospital.

"She expressed to me how much it meant to her," he said.

It also feels as if his dad's legacy is living on, and Ronnie Glover is continuing to support and provide for his family.

"We like to give back and find the right fit and this was exactly the right fit," Bolt said.

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Shelby roofing company provides act of kindness for local widow