Public Outraged After 102-Year-Old Widow Gets Eviction Notice On Her Birthday
By MarissaRocks
At 102 years old, you might imagine that most of the people you once knew aren’t around anymore.
While Thelma Smith, who is 102, does have a few friends here and there, she has lost her husband among many family members over the years. That’s why she’s currently living alone at her residence in Ladera Heights, California.
But she’s about to lose that too.
The day she turned 102 is the day her landlord gave her an eviction date to move out of her place so that the landlord’s daughter could move in after she graduated from law school.
Since Thelma doesn’t have any people she knows anymore around, the options to move in with someone are extremely limited. And on a fixed income, she can’t afford assisted living.
“Right now it’s the unknown that’s bothering her as far relocating her to her new places,” said family friend Antonio Avelino. “She couldn’t afford it she would need some assistance from county and other friends to support her in these places.”
Thelma’s eviction date is June 30, 2019, which doesn’t giver her very much time to sort this all out. Luckily, there are a few people who are helping her look for places to move to.
Most people are not responding well to the landlord’s move to kick Thelma out at her age. In an interview with the landlord, CBSLA’s Amy Johnson asked: “We know legally you can make her leave but 102? Would you kick out a 102-year-old woman?”
The landlord replied by saying, “Would you take care of your child?”
People on Twitter and Facebook have responded with support for Thelma, writing things like “Poor lady,” and “I feel so bad for this woman.”
Image via CBS News
Some are just plain old outraged about the situation. “Should be a national presidential campaign issue,” someone wrote.
Some even want to help Thelma, even though she’s a perfect stranger: “My sister and I would love to help Ms. Thelma with a place of her own. Someone please put me in contact with her. And, btw, this landlord is a jerk and gives other landlords a bad name,” a woman wrote.
Some people think that the landlord is allowed to do this, but still feels it isn’t right: “This is so sad. It’s not like she’s going to live much longer. He does have a right, however, have a heart,” another person wrote.
Thelma credits her long life to clean living. “I couldn’t stand the smell of beer,” she said. She added that even though at 102 years old, she has no idea where to go, her philosophy is just to be her best self.
“I have tried to live a good life. I never wanted to harm anybody,” she said.
What do you think of the landlord kicking Thelma out at her age? Do you have any advice for Thelma or where she should go? What do you think you’d do if you were in her shoes? We hope Thelma is able to find a place quickly with the help of those who care about her!
Fb image / featured image via CBS LA
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