Wanda Jackson never anticipated spending her retirement in a nondescript apartment off a Houston highway exit, far from the community she cherished. In September 2023, after residing at 5119 Stuyvesant Lane since 1977, she was abruptly evicted from her home. Her possessions, including cherished family keepsakes and recently purchased groceries, were callously thrown onto her front lawn. With only essential belongings, she hastily relocated to a modest apartment nearby.
The journey to this point began when Jackson’s aging home required repairs a few years ago. A church friend recommended Malcom Pryor, who offered to address the issues. Despite being seriously ill during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Jackson made substantial payments for repairs but has little recollection of the transactions.
Property records reveal a troubling sequence of events. Pryor, alleging unpaid repairs, filed a mechanic’s lien in August 2022. In September, Jackson unwittingly deeded her property to Pryor’s company. Within days, Pryor sold the house to James L. Mayer, who then resold it back to Pryor’s company at a substantial markup. Pryor defaulted on the loan, leading to foreclosure and Jackson’s eviction.
Financial crimes disproportionately affect the elderly, with scammers taking advantage of vulnerabilities. Despite ongoing investigations, Jackson’s prospects of reclaiming her home seem bleak. Attempts to reach individuals involved in the transactions yielded limited success.
Jackson’s former residence has been resold, signaling a distressing end to her homeownership. Meanwhile, she remains in an apartment, struggling with storage fees for her salvaged memories. HPD’s investigation offers little solace as Jackson navigates an uncertain future.
