Archie Manning Teams Up with ‘Mother Teresa of Mississippi’ to Gift Homes for the Holidays

The catastrophic tornadoes that struck Rolling Fork, Mississippi in March 2023 dealt a harsh blow to Andrea Williams, who had been anticipating her birthday celebrations on that very day.

“It was deeply emotional,” she shared in an interview. “I felt incredibly sad. To see all your efforts gone in a flash… it was a night of disaster.”

Williams’ residence was obliterated, and as a recent renter in the community, she believed everything was gone.

Yet, 18 months later, just before Christmas, Williams experienced a remarkable change in fortune. She became the owner of a mobile home gifted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following the storm, a result of a concerted effort involving FEMA, local nonprofits, and several compassionate individuals from this economically challenged region.

“I’m overjoyed,” said Williams, shortly after getting the keys. She is employed at a grocery store, assisting shoppers with their bags. Previously, she thought homeownership was beyond her grasp. “This marks a new beginning and a significant turning point for me,” she affirmed.

Catastrophic Weather: Tornadoes and Winds

Located about ten miles from the Mississippi River, Rolling Fork has a population of 1,883 and a median household income of about $34,000, as per Census data, which is less than half the national average. Only 9% of its residents possess a bachelor’s degree or higher.

The day after the deadly storms of 2023, Governor Tate Reeves urgently requested a major disaster declaration from the federal government, which President Joe Biden approved on March 26.

The event, described by FEMA as “March 2023 severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes,” resulted in 15 deaths and the complete destruction of 130 homes. An additional 100 homes sustained major damage. FEMA reports spending nearly $80 million in response to the disaster.

Yet, transforming the life of someone like Williams came at a surprisingly modest cost: approximately $6,600, which allowed her to purchase the home she had been living in for months.

The coalition that enabled 20 Rolling Fork residents to become homeowners was robust. Although FEMA did not provide comments for this story, those involved recalled FEMA staff expressing they had never seen such a bold project before.

The group included a retired brigadier general, an NFL dynasty heir, and a woman often called “the Mother Teresa of the Mississippi Delta.”

Inspiring Leader

Pam Chatman, a former journalist who became the first African-American news director in Mississippi, founded Boss Lady Economic Planning and Development after retiring. One of her initial projects was to set up a bus service connecting western Mississippi to higher-paying jobs in Tennessee.

Chatman, who lives an hour away from Rolling Fork, was drawn to the disaster scene by her journalistic instincts. Through Facebook, she discovered urgent calls for help from people trapped under their homes and mobilized her contacts for their rescue.

Soon after, she joined a task force with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, a state partner of FEMA, aimed at securing housing for the storm’s victims. Keith Fulcher, president of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi (CFNM), was also part of this task force.

Fulcher and Chatman, acquainted before the tornado through her various community initiatives, strengthened their collaboration following the disaster. CFNM awarded a grant to Boss Lady in April to assist survivors with essential purchases, and continued to support various needs such as utility bills and temporary hotel stays.

In July 2024, their focus shifted dramatically.

A Dire Need for Renters

Unexpectedly, Chatman received a call from a woman who had been at a local disaster recovery meeting. She reported that several renters had tearfully expressed their plight: they had been living in FEMA housing for over a year, and were soon to be displaced as their temporary housing period was ending. “Isn’t there anything for renters?” they pleaded.

This prompted the concerned citizen to reach out to various nonprofits for help, eventually contacting Chatman through Facebook. “I called Keith and we all talked about it,” Chatman recalled. “Keith asked what we could do, and I suggested, why not help the renters buy their FEMA homes?”

Sara McTarnaghan from the Urban Institute in Washington, DC, highlighted that this was a chance to turn a crisis into an opportunity for long-term economic stability for these individuals. However, she noted the significant challenges due to limited resources, which could persist for years.

“The barriers for renters to remain in that community throughout are substantial,” she added.

Martha Morris, 64, received her home keys on the same day as Williams.

“I feel incredibly blessed,” she expressed. “It’s a true blessing. I can’t put into words. I couldn’t imagine what families like mine would do without all these people. It takes many to make this happen. We are so grateful.”

At the Heart of Disaster Relief

Once the idea of purchasing FEMA mobile homes for Rolling Fork’s survivors was conceived, Chatman and Fulcher began rallying their networks for funding. Samuel Nichols, Jr., a retired US Army brigadier general, contributed $28,000.

A native of Biloxi, Mississippi, Nichols experienced Hurricane Camille as a child and led Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in 2005. “I’ve been at ground zero for both,” he stated, emphasizing the universal impact of natural disasters beyond social and racial lines.

Despite Nichols’ optimistic view, Debbie Arakel, executive director of Habitat for Humanity California, pointed out the harsh realities for vulnerable, low-income disaster victims who often lack insurance, resources, and even transportation to relocate.

Arakel praised FEMA’s initiative to sell trailers or mobile homes as it provided certainty, stability, and affordability for storm survivors, especially when compared to the prolonged recovery processes seen in places like Paradise, California, after the 2018 fire.

“This seems like a fantastic solution,” she remarked.

Community Effort

For CFNM’s Fulcher, the Rolling Fork initiative was more than just restoration; it was about addressing generational poverty. “They were all renters, low-income individuals, and now they own an asset they can pass to future generations,” he explained.

The homes, valued at $100,000 each, were acquired for about $6,600, representing significant leverage. While the mobile home owners must pay a monthly pad lease fee, these costs are manageable, according to Chatman. The homes were also made accessible for residents with special needs, like Martha Morris.

CFNM and Boss Lady aim to convert over 20 more survivors into homeowners by the end of 2024.

Community Revival

While securing housing is critical, a community that has lost everything has layered needs.

Archie Manning, an NFL icon, contributed to the recovery by supporting Rolling Fork’s high school football team. After learning that the team’s facilities were destroyed, he utilized the NFL’s matching gift program to fund repairs. His contribution, matched and amplified by further donations, helped the team return to the field.

“Seeing them succeed despite their hardships has been truly rewarding,” Manning commented.