Elderly Woman’s Determination Results in Free Roof Repair

By Dani Sheehan. 

A local roofing company lends a hand after this 73-year-old homeowner replaces shingles on her own. 

Sharon Harris may be 73 years old, but that didn’t stop her from repairing her own roof after feeling water drip down her arm one night in the living room. It should be a while before she’ll ever have to worry about it again after receiving a free roof from Cenvar Roofing in central Virginia.  

Sharon and her husband used to work on house projects together when he was able, including projects like repairing the roof. When they couldn’t afford to pay for a replacement, she told her husband, “I’m going to do it myself,” despite his urging her not to. Hearing about this story, Cenvar Roofing quickly offered to replace the roof at no charge, a cost totaling $9,700. In an interview with WDBJ Station 7, she described her reaction to the offer: “When I heard it, I thought it was a scam. I thought they’re not really coming, but it’s real.” 

General Manager of Cenvar Roofing, Collin Murphy, was impressed with the work Sharon managed. He explained, “She had everything installed properly. She said it took her days of going up there, throwing two shingles at a time, and then walking herself up the ladder with her hammer going for it.” The story is inspirational, and he was grateful to provide help. 

Fred, Sharon’s husband, is incredibly thankful for his wife. She says this determination comes largely from her mother, who not only showed her how to do everything, but lived to be 102.  

When given an opportunity to pick out the color for the new roof, Sharon was not concerned. “To tell you the truth, it doesn’t even matter, just so it’s done and we don’t have to worry about it, because we won’t be able to do it,” she said. With installation complete late July, Sharon won’t be climbing up ladders anytime soon. 

Photo source: WDBJ  

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