A Rankin County man has a new set of wheels thanks to the generosity of his community and a viral social media post.
Willie Berry had been struggling after his truck broke down, forcing him to walk or catch rides just to get to work. Within 48 hours of a post shared by Amber Tyler Norsworthy, community members raised more than $16,000—enough to purchase a reliable truck and cover two years of insurance.
Norsworthy’s post highlighted Berry’s character and explained how members of Pinelake Church have long supported him through a group known as the “caregivers of Mr. Willie,” assisting with needs ranging from medical recovery to transportation. The appeal quickly spread online, and donations poured in.
Berry’s story has since become a reminder that, as Norsworthy put it, there are still good humans that help when they can.
Jon Ross Myers founded Mississippi News Group in 2013. Before founding the organization, he worked at The Daily Mississippian, The Marion Salute and The Southern Sentinel. A Mississippi journalist and writer based in Ripley, he received second place in poetry in the 2025 William Faulkner Literary Competition for "The Garden."
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