DALLAS — You can’t put a price on friendship. Bobbie Dean is 90-years-old and her friend, Willie Mae Coleman, is 89-years-old. They have been friends since they could remember.
“This is my love. She’s my love. That’s my roll dog,” said Coleman. “When I was sick, young, she took care of me and my kids.”
Just as old as their friendship - so is Dean’s South Dallas home.
“I’m about the oldest neighbor still left,” said Dean. “My grandmother had it before me.”
However, in recent years and after last week’s storms, Dean’s home has been catching up to its age.
“I woke up and found a tree on top of the house,” said Dean. “The next good rain we had, I had a hole in the house.”
She has insurance, but it no longer covers damages.
“I did look for other insurances, so did my neighbor next door. Truthfully, I didn’t find one that I could really afford at the time,” said Dean.
It is an issue for a lot of seniors who like Dean, have been scammed in the past and doesn't have internet or phone.
“I see it every day. I just keep crying out, ‘Help, help, help,’” said Coleman.
“It’s kind of heartbreaking. At my age, I can’t have it done on my own,” said Dean.
Thankfully, there is friendship. Coleman and Dean’s neighbors stepped in to remove tree limbs, throw out damaged furniture, and replace some shingles on the roof.
“We lived good when we were young. Now we’re old and nobody cares. God cares,” said Coleman.
City Councilman Adam Bazaldua told WFAA he will look into what resources or assistance the city can provide. Until then, the two seniors rely on each other.
“We don’t have much longer, but we’d still like to live a little in comfort,” said Coleman.
“I thank God for them because it’s really needed,” said Dean.
It is a need that true friendship aims to meet.