MEMPHIS, Tenn. – An Arkansas woman is praising the actions of a teen who drove miles out of his way to return a wallet he found in the parking lot of a Forrest City Walmart on Thursday.
Dee Harkrider, 61, said she had no idea she had left her wallet behind in a shopping cart and was amazed when she learned a young man had found the wallet and was headed her way.
“Anybody could have picked that up,” said Harkrider. “He could have just taken it into the store, but he took it upon himself to bring it to me. I’m just overwhelmed.”
Nineteen-year-old Delivontae Johnson said he came to the Walmart to replace a tire, parked in a pharmacy spot, and immediately noticed the wallet.
“I wasn’t supposed to be parking in that spot but thank God I did,” said Johnson
Johnson said he found Harkrider’s driver’s license, started driving to her home in Wynne and was able to get in touch with her through Facebook.
“I live in Wynne, but I was in Palestine. So, that young man detoured and came to Palestine and brought me my wallet,” said Johnson.
The two met up in the parking lot of a restaurant in Palestine. Harkrider said she hugged Johnson and asked him to take a picture with her to post on Facebook because she was grateful for what he had done.
“I wanted people to know what this young man had done for me. I had to share it,” Harkrider said.
Harkrider also gave Johnson a $20 bill tucked inside her wallet and said she wished she could have done more.
“No, ma’am. It was more than I expected,” said Johnson.
Johnson, an East Arkansas Community College student, said he was glad to have the gas money, and his mom was proud of him.
“She said I did a good job. I’m glad she raised me to be the man I am today,” Johnson said.
Johnson and Harkrider are now Facebook friends and even found out they have a friend in common. Johnson said she wants people to know there are still good people out there who want to help each other.
“God watched over me. He brought this angel into my life,” she said. God sends people for a reason into each other’s lives.
Johnson said he blew out his tire after he hit a pothole on his way to church a week earlier. He said he was happy things worked out the way they did.
“I once heard in church from a pastor the devil will strike before God begins to bless,” Johnson said.
Harkrider said she has no doubt God will bless Johnson for his act of kindness and hopes they stay in touch for years to come.
“You’re stuck with me now,” said Harkrider.