Ringgold resident who lost everything from tornado wins new car

Asia Buffet owner Michael Lin, left, shakes hands with Ringgold resident Calvin Parris in front of the new 2011 Toyota Corolla Parris won from a drawing to celebrate the restaurant's recent anniversary on Lee Highway. Contributed Photo

Ringgold resident Calvin Parris lost his home and cars during the storms that devastated his neighborhood April 27, but he is already on the road to recovery, thanks in part to a new car he recently won from an area restaurant.

To celebrate its sixth anniversary, Asia Buffet on Lee Highway held a drawing for a new 2011 Toyota Corolla and will hold another drawing for similar prizes July 31.

"I went over there to eat and filled out the ticket and had no idea I would win," said Parris, whose name was drawn during Asia Buffet's prize drawing June 5. "When I went over there on Sunday, when they told me to come down and get the car, I thought they were fooling me. I couldn't believe it."

He said winning the new car from Asia Buffet and the cooperation and support of family, friends and even his insurance company is allowing him to recover more quickly.

"We are just glad that somebody won the car who exactly needed the car," Asia Buffet manager Grant Lee said of Parris.

Parris was in Florida when the storms hit, but his wife, Norma, was taking shelter in the downstairs basement of their home on Cherokee Road when the tornado swept past. The raging winds knocked down and carried away half of the couple's brick home, leaving only the basement and a few crumbling walls behind. Parris said they had a van, which was totaled, and a 1-ton truck, which is still in the shop for repairs. After receiving a call from his wife telling him she was safe, Parris hurried home from his fishing trip in a borrowed car to start picking up the pieces.

"She came out alive," Parris said. "It was a blessing."

The couple's house is currently being rebuilt with new trusses now in place for the new first and second floor. Parris said the work should be completed in another three or four months. Until then they are staying in a rental house in Tunnel Hill, Ga., that was provided their homeowner's insurance company.