Giddings Woman Sells Candy to Fund Private Road Repairs for Mother's Care

Deteriorating private road threatens timely emergency response for dementia patient.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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LaJune Sims, a Giddings, Texas resident, has closed her salon to provide 24/7 care for her mother Rose, who suffers from dementia. However, the deteriorating private road leading to their home is delaying emergency medical response, prompting Sims to start a candy business called "Dipping 4 Dementia" to raise $4,000 for immediate road repairs.

Why it matters

The poor condition of the private road leading to the Sims' home poses a serious threat to Rose's health, as delayed emergency response times could be life-threatening for someone with dementia. This highlights the challenges faced by families caring for loved ones with medical needs in areas with inadequate infrastructure.

The details

The half-mile stretch of Turner Lane in Lee County is privately owned, forcing drivers to crawl at 5 mph to avoid damaging their vehicles. When it rains, the road becomes nearly impassable, and on at least one occasion, paramedics had to stop and cut tree limbs to reach the Sims' home. Since the road is privately owned, the city of Giddings and Lee County cannot use public funds to repair it, so LaJune Sims has started a candy business called "Dipping 4 Dementia" to raise the $4,000 needed for immediate repairs.

  • In spring 2025, LaJune Sims closed her salon to provide 24/7 care for her mother Rose.
  • Rose Sims suffered a brain injury in 2017 and later developed dementia.

The players

LaJune Sims

The daughter of Rose Sims, who has closed her salon to provide 24/7 care for her mother and is raising funds through a candy business called "Dipping 4 Dementia" to repair the deteriorating private road leading to their home.

Rose Sims

The mother of LaJune Sims, who suffers from dementia and requires 24/7 care, with the poor condition of the private road leading to their home threatening timely emergency response.

Pat Jackson

A family friend who has known the Sims family since moving from Austin to Giddings in 2007, and has witnessed the poor condition of the private road.

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What they’re saying

“She's such a lovely person, and I just hated to see her go down like she is with the dementia.”

— Pat Jackson, family friend (KBTX)

“I had to make a decision, my mom has to have 24/7 care. She has to be monitored; she can't be left alone. I was forced to shut my studio down so that I can give her the best care.”

— LaJune Sims (KBTX)

What’s next

LaJune Sims hopes to continue expanding her "Dipping 4 Dementia" candy business to reach her goal of $4,000 for immediate road repairs.

The takeaway

This story highlights the challenges faced by families caring for loved ones with medical needs in areas with inadequate infrastructure, and the creative ways they must find to ensure their loved ones receive the care they need.