A Sunflower County woman is seeking justice after she said that she paid a local contractor over $8,000 for roofing work that was never completed.
Lillie Lavallais was visibly upset during this week’s board of supervisors meeting, where she was allowed to speak for a few minutes about the contractor she identified as Perry Parker.
The Enterprise-Tocsin attempted to reach Parker by phone for comment but had not heard back as of press time.
Lavallais obtained a judgment against Parker in June of 2023 from Sunflower County Justice Court in the amount of $3,585. Despite the ruling, Lavallais said that she has not been paid.
Sheriff James Haywood suggested during Monday’s meeting that she could return to the judge to potentially recover three times the amount owed, but those words did little to ease her frustration.
"I shouldn’t have to fight this hard for what’s right," she said.
A widow, Lavallais said that she is particularly affected by the ongoing financial strain and enduring physical damage.
In a letter to The E-T, she wrote, “I’m desperately in need of my money for damages done due to the leaks in my roof...Over two years ago, I gave a roofer $8,160 for materials as instructed by my insurance. One month later, I had a bad car accident and was out from September to December."
After leaving this week’s meeting, Lavallais spoke candidly on the steps of the courthouse.
"I came here for help, and it feels like they don’t care," she said.
Lavallais is hoping that local leaders, including the courts, will do more to make sure that she is made whole on her roof.
