A strong sense of community is bringing kin and friends of James Hearn Boyd together for an auction to help raise money for his battle against liver cancer.

&#8220The doctors gave him six months to a year to live, but we’re not settling for that,” his wife, Jeanette Hearn Boyd said. &#8220He’s going through the chemotherapy to make that time frame longer. He plans on being around when his kids are 18 years old, graduating from high school.”

Those children are a son, James Michael, 9, and a daughter, Jamie Lee, 2.

&#8220He has his good days and his bad days,” since his diagnosis in March, Jeanette Boyd said. &#8220But everyone has been so supportive. Our church made a food box for us and other people have brought us groceries. All these people are doing stuff for us.”

The assistance goes beyond aid. &#8220People come and sit with us at the hospital and at home,” Boyd said. &#8220They’re really there for us, and their prayers will get us through this.”

The Oak Ridge community where the Boyds live is helping out in a big way. Along with the Warren County Tax Collector’s Office, residents are hosting a benefit at the Oak Ridge Community Center on June 9. Food for the event has been donated by various companies and an assortment of items from candles and dolls to quilts and an Elvis lawn chair have been donated.

&#8220There will be a quilt for sale that Jeanette’s mother made, we’re hoping to get several other new items for auction and to sell at a country store that will be set up at the community center,” Warren County Tax Collector Pat Simrall said. &#8220We’re also planning on having activities for kids as well.”

Simrall says they’re hoping to get enough to cover James’ living and medical expenses because James is drawing very little money from his job as a delivery driver at Overnight Transportation in Pearl.

&#8220Every little bit helps, and even if it’s just quarters, it really mounts up,” Simrall said. &#8220We are thrilled with how the community has backed us on this. We want to express the good things people have done for us because it really has restored our faith in human kind.”

Jeanette adds that James is looking forward to being at the benefit to see all the support he’s getting throughout the community.

&#8220If he’s doing well, he has every intention of being there,” Boyd said. &#8220Even if he has to be in a wheelchair, he’ll be there. He wouldn’t miss a minute of it.”

Jeanette said an ally of her husband is his wit, helping him cope with his serious illness.

&#8220His sense of humor really throws people off, but it’s still there,” Boyd said. &#8220He’s still going around telling jokes and cuttin’ up.”

IF YOU GO.

A fundraiser benefiting James and Jeanette Hearn Boyd and family will be from 6 until 10 p.m. June 9 at the Oak Ridge Youth Center at 11031 Oak Ridge Road. Food donated by area businesses will be served along with live music by Boatman & Boatman Family Band and Magnolias and Moonshine. A live auction will be held for donated items, including dolls, candles, cookbooks, an Elvis lawn chair and a homemade quilt, while some items will be sold in a country store. Proceeds will help with the Boyd family’s living expenses and James Boyd’s medical expenses due to liver cancer.