Local News

Couple who celebrated marriage on KTLA in 2012 loses home in Eaton Fire 

Rodney and Lillian Davis have lived in Altadena for 39 years and even appeared together to celebrate their marriage more than a decade ago on KTLA, but fast forward to now, and the beloved couple are without a home due to the Eaton Fire. 

The couple’s daughter Camille, who lives all the way in Paris, told KTLA that the “incredible” story of her parents revolves around the home they built together and raised three children in.  

“They were young, educated and making ends meet, but got the chance of a lifetime when they landed a home in Altadena,” Camille said. “Our home had welcomed so many people — family, friends and pets – and has been center to so many wonderful shared holidays, birthdays and monumental celebrations.” 

Both Rodney and Lillian are pillars of the Altadena community; Rodney is a longtime coach who volunteered countless hours at local youth organizations and Lillian is described as “the kindest, friendliest person” who befriends everyone she meets.  

“[My dad] instilled values of teamwork and perseverance in so many young men and women over the years, which are values he lives out every single day,” Camille said. “I think [my mom] has more friends than me and she certainly has a more youthful spirit than me.” 

Speaking to KTLA 5’s Jennifer McGraw on Sunday morning, Rodney remarked that while his and his wife’s story of losing their home is not unique given the severity of the destruction, but the situation is compounded by the loss of the homes of their friends, relatives and fellow community members in both Altadena and the Pacific Palisades.  

“Having so many friends, relatives and neighbors around here, it’s tough to see us all go through this process,” he said. “Our hearts go out to the people in the Palisades who are experiencing the same situation.” 

When speaking on the community she has lived in since 1986, Lillian began to tear up at the fact that her beloved Altadena is gone, but expressed resolve that residents will rebuild without losing the character it once had. 

“We are resilient here…we’ve got a lot of love in this community [and it’s] a very diverse community,” she said. “I hope that we are going to get through this, but we’re suffering right now and it’s really, really hard…we’re going to get through it.” 

A GoFundMe set up to help the Davis family recover from the Eaton Fire can be found here

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