Macario Chism, a Waste Pro Sanitation worker in Caruthersville Missouri stopped at a convenience shop on his way to work. It was January 1, one of the coldest of January. Because the cashier was interested to tell Chism about a Silver Alert that had just occurred, it may have been Chism’s regular stopping point. The following is a great act of heroism which was barely mentioned in other states than Missouri and Arkansas.
Hence, why it is featured as this week’s Feel-Good Friday story.
From KAIT8 News
Macario Chism was stopped at a convenience store around 7:15 a.m., when the cashier informed him that a Silver Alert had just been issued to Thelma Bates (82 years old) who has dementia.
“The cashier was like, ‘Hey, there’s an older woman. She’s missing’,” Chism recalled.
Chism was out of the shop.
Three o’clock in the morning, Mrs. Bates went missing. She was wearing no shoes and it was already 16 degrees outside. Thelma Bates’ oldest daughter Marian said, “I was worried sick. The whole community came together.”
Chism was a first responder from his truck’s sanitation vehicle and joined the search. Fayettevile, Arkansas’ KNWA News reported Chism as saying,
“I gotta find that lady, ‘cause she done froze or she might be dead.”
Chism was within a few blocks of Mrs. Bates’ home, when he spotted something curious about a small metal backyard shop building.
“I see’d the shop door had swung open from the wind, and it had closed, and that’s when I noticed her on the ground in the shop,” Chism said. “She raised up and then she fell back.”
Chism ran across the ditch, through backyards and to Mrs. Bates. She was already nearly freezing. Chism took off the coat he was wearing, covered her with it, and carried her back to the cab of his truck, where he started the engine, turned on the heater, then covered Mrs. Bates’ feet. Chism’s truck has a dashboard camera, and the footage from the cam shows the moment that he placed Mrs. Bates inside and tended to her. Chism then tap his horn to signal other searchers nearby that he found Mrs. Bates and required assistance.
KAIT8 was told by he that he thought of his late grandmother when he looked for her.
“She died in my arms,” Chism said. “I couldn’t save her so I was just happy to save Mrs. Bates.”
First responders helped Mrs. Bates by comforting and assisting her. The first responders took Mrs. Bates to the hospital, where she was checked over. She was fine, despite the exposure and cold. There were no injuries other than a couple of cuts and bruises. All because of Chism’s determination to find her and his quick response and care when he did.
“He was taking his time, he was paying attention, and he found her and saved her life,” said Barry Gilmore, Code Enforcement officer with the city of Caruthersville. “I couldn’t be prouder of the guy.”
Chism was warmly welcomed by the Bates family days later. He was also rewarded with the Gr8 Acts of Kindness award for his “caring spirit.” The award was sponsored by First Community Banks and KAIT News.
More than a caring spirit, but a rescuer’s one. Chism wanted Mrs. Bates to be spared the same fate as his grandma. This tragedy was used by Chism to ensure another chance for life. The Bates family is, understandably, forever grateful.
We are grateful for Chism’s example of heroism.
Be a Macario Chism in a world filled with Will Smiths.
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