Fund drive set to bring slain Texas Pinay's remains home
By MARIA ALETA O. NIEVA
abs-cbnNEWS.com
A funeral fund collection drive has been set up by members of Filipino American communities to help send the remains of a slain Filipina from Texas back to her hometown in Tacloban City.
Edison Diloy of San Antonio, Texas told abs-cbnNEWS.com that an e-mail is now circulating among Fil-Am communities in the San Antonio, Austin, Houston and Dallas areas to ask for financial assistance for the repatriation of Juiceline "Joy" Tomerlin’s remains.
Those who want to contribute to the "Help Bring Joy Home" fund can course their donations through the Wells Fargo Bank account number 6784331578 c/o Eulynde Pendleton, Diloy said. Contributors were also asked to contact Pendleton at 830-643-0995, or mail donations to 1010 Hollyhock Lane, New Braunfels, TX 78130.
Diloy, who has never met Tomerlin, said he believes that the 29-year-old woman’s story should "serve as an eye-opener for all that domestic violence may lead to a tragic end like hers."
Tomerlin’s family had been informed of her death and is now waiting for the arrival of the remains.
Diloy had been informed that Tomerlin had worked two jobs to help her family of eight and a sick parent back home in the Philippines.
Husband died, too
A report by Georgia Fisher of The Herald-Zeitung's online edition on August 2 had named the Filipina as the woman whose body was discovered beside her husband Earl Lynn Tomerlin, 55 in an "apparent homicide-suicide" case.
Authorities found the couple dead on July 30 inside their home located at 100 Block of Marble Drive, Comal Farms neighborhood, off Interstate 35 in New Braunfels.
New Braunfels Police said in the report that both victims suffered gunshot wounds. The report did not indicate which part of the bodies the victims were shot.
Police are still conducting investigation to determine if it was a homicide-suicide case.
Pendleton, Tomerlin’s bestfriend who is also a Filipina, was earlier interviewed by The Herald-Zeitung. She said that she spoke with Tomerlin on a daily basis. She described her friend as someone who loved to sing and talk to people and make friends.
The news about Tomerlin’s death shook the Filipino American communities around Texas.
"This is really a heartbreaking news and it really needs the attention of our friends in the community," said Dallas resident Lita Cruz in response to an e-mail about Tomerlin’s death sent to members of the Filipino American communities in Texas.
Fil-Am folk offer sympathies
Cruz mentioned an incident a few years back when Filipinos in Dallas needed to raise funds for a friend who died of an unknown disease. Through the efforts of the community, they were able to raise more than enough money to bring back the body to the Philippines and donate a little to the family.
Effy Whalen, who never even met Tomerlin, also expressed sadness over what happened to the woman and her husband.
"I am so sad of what happened. Me and my friends are helping to raise money to bring Joy back home," said Whalen.
Whalen also met with Tomerlin’s aunt and was informed that no exact date has been given on when the remains would be transported back to the Philippines because of "financial and the paperworks are not done yet."
"They just got the death certificate today. The family of Joy is still waiting. In fact, she will be transported alone because no enough fund for her Aunt to go with her," Whalen said.
Meanwhile, Schertz, Texas resident Sampaguita Fuller said that a memorial service for Tomerlin is scheduled on August 13 at 10 a.m. at the Cypress Bend Park in New Braunfels.
abs-cbnNEWS.com
A funeral fund collection drive has been set up by members of Filipino American communities to help send the remains of a slain Filipina from Texas back to her hometown in Tacloban City.
Edison Diloy of San Antonio, Texas told abs-cbnNEWS.com that an e-mail is now circulating among Fil-Am communities in the San Antonio, Austin, Houston and Dallas areas to ask for financial assistance for the repatriation of Juiceline "Joy" Tomerlin’s remains.
Those who want to contribute to the "Help Bring Joy Home" fund can course their donations through the Wells Fargo Bank account number 6784331578 c/o Eulynde Pendleton, Diloy said. Contributors were also asked to contact Pendleton at 830-643-0995, or mail donations to 1010 Hollyhock Lane, New Braunfels, TX 78130.
Diloy, who has never met Tomerlin, said he believes that the 29-year-old woman’s story should "serve as an eye-opener for all that domestic violence may lead to a tragic end like hers."
Tomerlin’s family had been informed of her death and is now waiting for the arrival of the remains.
Diloy had been informed that Tomerlin had worked two jobs to help her family of eight and a sick parent back home in the Philippines.
Husband died, too
A report by Georgia Fisher of The Herald-Zeitung's online edition on August 2 had named the Filipina as the woman whose body was discovered beside her husband Earl Lynn Tomerlin, 55 in an "apparent homicide-suicide" case.
Authorities found the couple dead on July 30 inside their home located at 100 Block of Marble Drive, Comal Farms neighborhood, off Interstate 35 in New Braunfels.
New Braunfels Police said in the report that both victims suffered gunshot wounds. The report did not indicate which part of the bodies the victims were shot.
Police are still conducting investigation to determine if it was a homicide-suicide case.
Pendleton, Tomerlin’s bestfriend who is also a Filipina, was earlier interviewed by The Herald-Zeitung. She said that she spoke with Tomerlin on a daily basis. She described her friend as someone who loved to sing and talk to people and make friends.
The news about Tomerlin’s death shook the Filipino American communities around Texas.
"This is really a heartbreaking news and it really needs the attention of our friends in the community," said Dallas resident Lita Cruz in response to an e-mail about Tomerlin’s death sent to members of the Filipino American communities in Texas.
Fil-Am folk offer sympathies
Cruz mentioned an incident a few years back when Filipinos in Dallas needed to raise funds for a friend who died of an unknown disease. Through the efforts of the community, they were able to raise more than enough money to bring back the body to the Philippines and donate a little to the family.
Effy Whalen, who never even met Tomerlin, also expressed sadness over what happened to the woman and her husband.
"I am so sad of what happened. Me and my friends are helping to raise money to bring Joy back home," said Whalen.
Whalen also met with Tomerlin’s aunt and was informed that no exact date has been given on when the remains would be transported back to the Philippines because of "financial and the paperworks are not done yet."
"They just got the death certificate today. The family of Joy is still waiting. In fact, she will be transported alone because no enough fund for her Aunt to go with her," Whalen said.
Meanwhile, Schertz, Texas resident Sampaguita Fuller said that a memorial service for Tomerlin is scheduled on August 13 at 10 a.m. at the Cypress Bend Park in New Braunfels.
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