Elsie Smith, Broke Washington Widow, Gets Help From Donors To Bury Husband

Elsie Smith, 91, was prepared to sell everything she owned to bury her late husband.

“I loved that man more than anything in this whole wide world,” the Washington widow told KOMO news.

The news outlet reported on Friday that Smith had just $9 to her name, no family or friends, but was determined to keep her promise to her husband, Joe, that she would give him a proper funeral. However, once the story of the devoted widow went viral, donors across the country pitched in to cover the $3,000 funeral costs, a minister offered his services and she even had a few thousand dollars left over, KOMO reported Sunday.

Smith was speechless when she was granted the $12,000 check. It was a similar stunning moment for Jim Duff when a generous donor stepped up to make sure the Pennsylvania man was able to bury his late brother in November, WTAE reported.

After his brother, Ronald, was killed, and his other brother was charged with homicide, Duff was devastated, and couldn’t even afford to give his late brother a proper burial. Once a local anonymous donor stepped in though, Duff was able to at least put his brother to rest, according to the news outlet.

"It's really amazing and everything," Duff told WTAE. “I know there's a lot of good out there in the world.”

Feeling inspired? Find out how you can donate to Elsie Smith here.