To talk to her, one may not realize Angela Castleberry and her family is going through a great personal loss. October 5, Castleberry’s entire home on Old Pollard Road, Jay, burned to the ground. Currently, the family of five, including Angela’s husband Dwyne Castleberry, an 18-year-old son, Robert, and 10-year-old twins, Scott and Skyler, are staying at a motel and relying on help and supplies from family and friends.
Angela said she was busy teaching Sunday school at First Apostolic Church when she got the call. Jay Peanut Festival goers, she said, saw smoke and reported the fire. Nothing, she said, was salvageable.
Dwyne, Angela said, was just coming off of a 4-year injury and starting to get back on his feet and opening a welding business. She said he was 30 days in when the fire happened. Since the shop was connected to the house, it too was lost. Their 18-year-old son, Robert, was helping his dad in the business, as well, she said. Now, as the family looks for help with day-to-day supplies, they’d also like to replace some of Dwyne’s welding equipment lost in the blaze. Previous to opening the business, Angela said Dwyne taught welding as a correctional officer at the Santa Rosa County prison. Angela said she also lost all of her home school supplies, but was surprised when the children did not rejoice over the loss, but cried.
With an upbeat attitude, Angela said this was the third home the family lost. Fifteen years ago, she said, they lost their first home to a fire when Robert was 3 years old. Their second home was lost to Hurricane Ivan when the twins were 3 months old and Robert was 8. Angela said the silver lining was relying on past experience for knowing how to go forward.
“My faith in God is what I stand on. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Bless the name of the Lord,” Angela said. “Our family is close knit,” she said. “It was a big decision in starting the business. We do everything together. We’re close,” she said. Angela referenced the Biblical figure Job, a wealthy man who lost everything but maintained his faith. “He was restored twice over,” she said.
Angela said the trials her family suffered brought forth compassion. She said they relate to others who go through such circumstances. “As hard as the journey has been, I wouldn’t change anything,” she said.
To help the Castleberry family, Santa Rosa Credit Union set up an account for Rodney Castleberry, Dwyne’s proper name. They also have a Facebook group called Living by Faith 2014.
WANT TO HELP?
For 10-year-old Skyler: size 12 to 14 clothes, size 3 shoes, a 24 inch bike, and anything related to horses or the movie Frozen.
For 10-year-old Scott: size 14 to 16 husky clothes, pants, 7 or 8 waist, shoes, Legos, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys.
For Angela: clothing size 2XL or size 20 clothes, 7.5 to 8 shoes
Dwyne: size XXL shirts, 40/34 pants, size 11 to 12 shoes, and tools and welding supplies.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Jay family loses third home in 15 years