SERVPRO of North Huntsville  Posted 5/1/09

A Defining Moment for a Local Small Businessman

Steve Fairris, owner and general manager of three SERVPRO licenses for 11 years, specializing in fire and water clean-up and restoration services, knows how one tragic event can define a person and their business. SERVPRO is a national franchise system made up of 1,400 individually owned and operated franchises. SERVPRO also specializes in mold remediation, air duct cleaning, crime scene clean-up, smoke and odor deodorization, and residential and commercial carpet/upholstery cleaning. “We’re like a big family and I believe people like to work at places where they feel connected.”

One employee, Melba Southard, senior crew chief at SERVPRO of North Huntsville, worked with her daughter, Tina Smithey, water damage production manager. Melba and Tina had experienced a difficult week last year with the passing of Melba’s mother. According to Tina, it was especially hard because her grandmother helped raised her. Then, about a week after Tina’s grandmother passed away, a tragedy occurred that affected, not only Tina and her family, but the entire SERVPRO of North Huntsville family. On June 6, 2008, Melba was tragically killed in an auto accident.

“That Friday was just like any other Friday,” he remembers. “Everybody was getting ready for the weekend and Melba knocked and entered my office. She quickly said that she had the truck loaded up in preparation for Monday morning’s job. Melba was one of the staff members who really gave her all to make SERVPRO a success.”

He continues, “I thanked Melba for all she did and to have a great weekend. She replied back to have a good weekend too and she then shut my door. Neither of us knew this would be the last time we would speak to each other. Thirty minutes later, Melba was broadsided by a phone company utility truck and was instantly killed.”

Steve was at home when he received a call from Tina. “She was crying hysterically and I couldn’t understand what she was saying,” Steve recalls. “Scotty, Tina’s husband, got on the phone and told me Melba had just been killed on Highway 72 in Gurley. My heart sank in shock and disbelief. I’d just talked with Melba not even an hour ago.”

Steve headed to the crash site and saw Tina crying. “I put my arms around Tina and she said, ‘Steve, have I been such a bad person in my life to have both of my mothers die in one week? What have I done to deserve this?” he states. “All I could do was hold Tina as she cried and reassure her that this wasn’t her fault.”

This was also a tragic loss to Kenneth Southard, Tina’s dad and Melba’s husband. What compounded the emotional loss was Steve’s concern for Kenneth, a retired pastor. Kenneth and Melba had been living on Kenneth’s disability benefits and Melba’s salary from SERVPRO.

As a struggling small business owner, Steve was faced with a dilemma. How would Melba’s family handle this time financially? “The greatest gift is always given when the giver gives during his own greatest time of need,” Steve comments. “It’s like the widow woman who gave her last penny to the Lord. It wasn’t much but it cost her dearly and it got Jesus’ attention as the greatest gift of all.” 

Steve made the decision that SERVPRO of North Huntsville would continue to keep sending Melba’s paycheck until the small insurance check and life insurance claim for Tina and Kenneth came through. In addition, Tina and Scotty were then out for an extended period and SERVPRO of North Huntsville continued to pay them both. “It may have been tough on us, but it seemed like the right thing to do,” he explains. “I tell the crews to remember that when the homeowners have water or fire damage, people don’t care what you know, until they know that you care. I figured it was our time to give until it hurt and trust that God would take care of us too. Proverbs 19:17 says, He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done.”

During this time of loss, Steve and his team found a renewed commitment in their faith. “I began to realize what was really important and that I needed to feed this ‘little flock of sheep’ that had been entrusted to me,” Steve recalls. “I began having daily devotions with the staff, which included reading from devotionals and taking prayer requests in the morning meeting.”

He continues, “We’ve seen numerous prayers answered including people coming to faith in Christ. Also, Tina and Kenneth received financial compensation through a settlement with the phone company. These were just a few of the answered prayers, but the defining moment with Melba’s death is that we’ve grown closer as a team and in our relationship with God. It forced me to look at myself and ask if I was living for myself. God can turn anything bad around for good if we only open up our heart to Him and see with the eyes of faith that His grace is sufficient to get us through the storms of life.”

A few things that Steve remembers about Melba are her faith and a present she gave him. “During the nine years before Melba came to SERVPRO, we only had one job over $100,000,” Steve explains. “In the one year that Melba had her church praying for large jobs, our SERVPRO franchises got in four commercial jobs over $100,000. The gift she gave me is a Donald Trump doll with my picture attached to it. The doll says, I have no other choice than to tell you…You’re Fired! It was as if she were leaving me a symbol of success and prosperity that she wanted me to see myself in.”

SERVPRO of North Huntsville’s defining moment continues to live on in honor of Melba.

Contact Info:
SERVPRO of North Huntsville
1320 Fletcher Street
Huntsville, Alabama 35801
(256) 534-1177
www.servpro/franchises/8584.htm