Lonely 80-year-old drove 2,000 miles looking for 'adventure' — until a Walmart worker stepped up to change her life

There’s no maximum age for adventure and, fortunately, none for kindness either. 80-year-old Lois Mayo hoped to experience both of these elements when she embarked on a long drive from California to Tennessee, reported News Channel 5 on March 31. The widow wasn’t sure what the plan was; she just knew she wanted to get to the place and loaded up her SUV, got her cats, Vanilla and Bubbs, and made the drive. Arriving at Murfreesboro, Mayo stopped at a Walmart, where she met a staff member, Paris Barnes. After listening to her story, the employee had the perfect plan for the elderly woman. 

The widow wanted to add some light and hope to life and so decided to move to Tennessee. She had never been there before, but for the sake of adventure, she decided to make the drive. With her cats and the little money she could scrounge up, Mayo arrived at a new place to call home. When asked why she had made the move to Tennessee, Mayo replied, “The history of the people... the joy of Southern hospitality... People are so nice." When asked if she'd ever been here before, Mayo said, "No, never. I don't even know the area." It made her feel proud, she said, that she was able to navigate this all on her own.

Driving for 5 days without a map, Mayo said she simply followed the I-40 highway. Once she had arrived, she wandered into a Walmart, where the cashier, Barnes, learned of her story. Mayo had walked up to her to inquire about an item, but the conversation dug so deep, Barnes said she simply "couldn’t walk away" from her. "I wholeheartedly think that it was meant for you to step into that Walmart," she told Mayo. “God is using me to help you."

Barnes set up a GoFundMe to share the woman’s story before setting her up at a local motel. “After talking with her, it became clear she may be struggling with memory issues,” Barnes wrote in the description, adding that the 80-year-old didn’t know much apart from the fact that she had moved from California. The last of her Social Security money was drying up, and she intended to sleep in her KIA. Mayo had also lost her phone on the journey, and hence any phone numbers she may need went with it. So Barnes took it upon herself to initiate a search and reached out to locate the woman’s son. After Facebook and the local police department united the two, the duo decided to respect Mayo’s wish to remain in Tennessee. Ever since, she’s been collecting funds to pay for her medication, stay, and other requirements. So far, the GoFundMe has raised 82% of her goal ($9,760 raised of $12,000).

The National Alliance to End Homelessness revealed that the number of senior adults over the age of 50 who are homeless is climbing.

5 million people over the age of 65 are living below the poverty line. 138,098 elderly people have experienced homelessness for at least one night. A study revealed that this group’s level of homelessness is expected to triple by 2030. One of the top reasons cited was a lack of steady or sufficient income to fund housing and other essentials. In cases like these, we need to step up in any capacity we can. Mayo was not just looking for a warm place to stay; she was looking for hope, and she found both through the kindness of Barnes. 

As her Social Security money dries up, Barnes is continuing to help and assist her in any way possible, along with her son. Furthermore, she is also using GoFundMe to reach out to as many generous people out there. In an update on March 31, she noted that she was able to find an extended stay for Mayo for a while. Help continues to pour in, and one can only hope this chain of kindness works out in the best way possible. @GoodWillprevail wrote, “This brought tears to my eyes. God bless her angel who listened to God and is helping her.” @carolinekinney2634 added, “God does beautiful things like this! There are angels out there still.” 

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