A Texas man known for shining shoes is missing half his heart after his wife of 25 years was killed in a fire the night after Christmas.
Robert Earl Davis, known as “Shine Man,” is finally out of the hospital after his mobile home caught fire the night of Dec. 26. His wife of 25 years, Diane Wofford Davis, was killed, and his home was destroyed, KLTV reports.
Robert Davis is known in the city of Henderson for shining shoes at different businesses across town, but the part of his life that few know about was turned upside down when he awoke to find his home on fire.
Robert Earl Davis is missing half his heart after his wife of 25 years, Diane Wofford Davis, was killed in a fire the night after Christmas.(Source: KLTV)
“We were in separate rooms when it happened because, see, we don’t like to watch the same television,” Robert Davis said.
Separated by the fire itself and with only two doors to escape out of, he says he began screaming for his wife but didn’t hear anything.
“I am thinking she’s gotten out. I am getting whooped by this fire, and I go out the back. She’s always on the couch by the front door, so I rush to the front and she’s not outside,” Robert Davis said.
That was the moment he realized that not only was he about to lose his home to a fire but that his wife was trapped inside. He says he couldn’t get to her in time.
“She was everything to me,” Robert Davis said. “I would trade places with her right now, but I can’t. She was my heart. I didn’t realize how much I loved her until now.”
He and the couple’s only daughter, Mae Wofford, are now sorting through the rubble of what’s left of the home, hoping to salvage what little memories they can.
“It hurt me so bad. It did,” he said. “Still grateful that I am alive, though. Really, I am.”
Henderson residents describe Robert Davis as genuine, kind, sweet as can be and one of the best men you’ll ever meet. In the wake of tragedy, the man himself hopes his days as the community’s “Shine Man” aren’t coming to an end.
“I love shining shoes. Not because of the money but because of the outlet it gives me to meet new people and be a part of the community,” he said. “I’m adjusting, but people don’t know my wife is who drove me all around town so I can’t even shine shoes. Without her, I have no clue what I’m going to do.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Robert Davis get back on his feet.
The Overton Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the fire.
SOURCE: live5news.com