ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 4, 1996 TAG: 9602060019
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI STAFF WRITER
MARK LEFTWICH says he has derived comfort from the community's outpouring of sympathy.
Plywood covers the windows of the house at 1228 Stewart Ave. in Southeast Roanoke, where Mark and Patricia Leftwich's four children died. A tattered police tape around the perimeter is the only clue to the magnitude of what happened inside.
Where so much was lost, Mark Leftwich recently found a small treasure. Inside the door to one of the downstairs apartments was his youngest son's pacifier.
It is purple, and bite marks around the edges testify to its use. It was a favorite of 4-year-old Patrick's, who always had it near at hand.
Now, it is Patrick's father who gains comfort from it. He touches it when he wants to feel close to his four children.
On the night of Jan. 20, along with their grandmother, Goldie Christine Duncan, 46, the children died in a house fire that investigators believe began in an extension cord.
Mark and Patricia Leftwich are divorced. The children lived with their mother.
Last week at his Cloverdale home, his twin sister by his side, Leftwich showed four large portraits of his children that sit atop the television set.
"It really bothers me at night," Leftwich said. "I just need a lot of prayer."
The community has given prayer, as well as help with the funeral expenses. Roanoke resident Frank Roupas donated the grave sites at Evergreen Burial Park in Southwest Roanoke. Oakey's Funeral Home donated the caskets.
Mark Leftwich said his ex-wife was trying to start anew, taking nursing classes at Virginia Western Community College. She and her mother, Goldie Duncan, attended Belmont Baptist Church.
Duncan and the grandchildren also attended Fellowship Baptist Church.
Each of the churches opened a trust fund for Patricia Leftwich, according to the Rev. Wayne Harrison of Belmont Baptist Church. More than 450 people have contributed to the trust fund at Belmont Baptist Church, Harrison said.
"These were just ordinary, everyday folks who didn't have a lot themselves," he said. "But they gave. The whole community was caught up in this enormous tragedy."
When James Williams heard about the fire, he organized a benefit at Spurs Restaurant and Lounge in Northeast Roanoke. Scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Feb. 11, it will include several country music bands and merchandise that will be auctioned off. Admission will be $5.
"I seen it on the news," Williams said. "It just touched me that four children and a grandmother died. It was just such a tragedy, I wanted to do something to help."
Knowing that people care that much is a comfort, said Mark Leftwich and his sister, Marilyn Mcgredy. Alone in their house, the memories surround them. The room filled with teddy bears where the children played is just down the hall; Mark's trading card collection is on the bedroom dresser.
"Mark and Patricia ... have a long road ahead," Mcgredy said. "They have their lives to rebuild and four guardian angels to show them their way now."
LENGTH: Medium: 62 linesby CNB