Eighty-six-year-old Rita Henderson can’t forget May 16, 2025, because that was the day a vicious tornado roared through the historic Ville neighborhood, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, including the house she called home for 52 years.
The famed structure on Cottage Avenue was once home to Homer G. Phillips, lawyer and civil rights advocate and founder of Homer G. Phillips Hospital.
“But I know there is a God.” And she believes God showed up through all the community support”
“The storm took my whole roof off,” Henderson said. Thankfully, she wasn’t home but was visiting her daughter in Florissant when the tornado hit. She still can’t believe that it was only a couple of months ago that her roof was lying in an open field across the street. Her home, where 11 of her children once lived, remains covered with a blue tarp.
Her son, Don Thorton, who lives just a few houses away, lost his home, too. Her daughter, Bernetta Thorton, who lives next door to Don, was also severely impacted by the epic storm.
The tornado tore the roof from her home, allowing rain to pour in and cause extensive water damage. Her front porch collapsed, a couple of windows were shattered and the back porch caved in. Now, the once-pristine furniture she had just purchased is covered in mold.
“I have sentimental value in my house — pictures and such — and the tornado tore that up,” Henderson said. Despite the losses, she is grateful she and her children are alive. Shaking her head, she said it could have been worse. “But I know there is a God,” she said. And she believes God showed up through all the community support.
“Quite a few people come by every day,” she said. “They stepped up,” Henderson and her daughter Bernetta Thornton said in unison. “To see the babies passing out water, some just 5 or 6 years old, volunteering just made me feel so happy,” Thornton said.
A time to heal and rebuild
Since May 16, the local organization Where You Are We Are At has been delivering food and other much-needed essentials.
Despite the outpouring of support, rebuilding communities north of Delmar will take time. Henderson’s insurance covers only her personal belongings — not the structure of her home.
Don Thornton once had home insurance, but after losing his job, he could no longer afford the premiums. In a cruel twist of fate, his policy lapsed just one month before the tornado struck. His sister said her neighborhood is valuable and she is determined to stay. Their homes are surrounded by historical Black neighborhoods, Westside Missionary Baptist Church, and Friendly Temple Church. “Looking at what this storm did to my neighborhood, I feel like I want to cry,” the Thorntons’ mother said.
The wonder years
Henderson’s neighborhood was once a vibrant, tightly knit community that was home to professionals like nurses, teachers and even a doctor.
Her block was lined with well-kept homes and was once part of the city bus route. She moved to Cottage Avenue in 1973 from the 5200 block of Theodosia. The home she lost was a historic two-bedroom brick house with a cozy living room and formal dining room.
“Our family get-togethers weren’t just us,” referring to her siblings and their children. “Oh no, our family stretched from St. Louis Avenue to Delmar.” Affectionately known as “OG,” Henderson was the heart of her block, caring for generations of children.
“I fed every kid around here,” Henderson said. “My house was the place where, if a child was hungry, they knew they could get fed.” In addition to her own 11 children, Henderson said she raised many other neighborhood kids. Now grown, those same kids still check in on OG. On the day the storm hit, several of them drove down to Cottage Avenue to make sure she was safe.