Donny Ray and daughter, Jennifer, lost everything they owned in a early afternoon fire on Tuesday, Sept. 25, at their home in Nelson.

Jennifer's boyfriend, Joe Miller, and their two children, Jake, 9, and Maggie, 3, also lived at the residence.

"They don't have anything," said Tonya Shoecraft, Donny's sister. The destruction was caused by "an electrical fire in the basement from what they can tell."

They have found temporary housing at a parsonage at 823 E. Thomas St. in Marshall that is owned by Gill Memorial Baptist Church.

Jean Harms, a friend, said the family needs many items. "We are talking everything for a home, linens, kitchen utensils and more," she said. "If someone could give a monetary donation that would be helpful for purchasing eye glasses."

Donny has a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and his insurance was able to get him one the next day because his was a total loss in the fire. Both Donny and Jennifer wear glasses and they were lost in the fire.

Shoecraft said Donny needs 4XL shirts, 52-inch coveralls or overalls, 46- to 48-inch waist jeans, and size 11 shoes. His work boots burned in the fire and he had just bought a brand new pair of coveralls for winter since he works at a rock quarry, she said.

Jennifer really needs work uniforms in size medium. She works in nursing at Four Seasons in Sedalia. She wears size eight to 10 in jeans, medium shirts and size six to seven in shoes.

"She had just bought new bunk beds for the kids and there is nothing left of them," Shoecraft said. "She had already bought some of the Christmas presents and upcoming birthday presents."

Jake, who will turn nine years old in November, wears size eight pants, large shirt in boys, and size three shoes.

Maggie, 3, wears a small four to five pants, medium shirts and size eight to nine in small children's shoes.

Shoecraft said the family found out Monday that Maggie was going to have to have open heart surgery. She has already been through kidney surgery. "They found out Monday and their house burnt on Tuesday," she said. Donny and Shoecraft's mother had a heart attack Tuesday afternoon after seeing the house. She is just returning home from Columbia Hospital today, she said.

The Rays could use anything for the home including bedroom sets, a television, appliances and much more. "Donny had just paid his last payment on the special foam mattress that he has to have to sleep," Shoecraft said. "But now it is gone as well."

To contact the family, call (660) 886-7150. To contact Shoecraft for additional information, call (660) 335-4415 or (660) 815-0786.

Donations can be dropped off at 823 E. Thomas St. in Marshall.

Contact Rachel Harper at

marshallcity@socket.net