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July 16, 2025
Getting to Know … Jeanne Smith
Q: Where are you originally from?
Jeanne: I grew up in Chicago and stayed there until I was 23 years old.
Q: When did you come here to the Alabama Gulf Coast?
Jeanne: I moved here with my husband, Kenny, four-and a half years ago and we have been parishioners here for that amount of time.
Q: Did you just stumble upon the parish?
Jeanne: No, I checked out the church even before we moved down. My husband felt a call to come to Alabama but I wanted to find out about the parish and so I went to Adoration and Reconciliation with Father Carucci and I agreed that this would be a good place for us to be.
Q: You are now retired. What work were you doing previously?
Jeanne: I have done a number of things. I am recently retired as a physical therapist. I spent 21 years, 8 months and 17 days in the U.S. Air Force. I was in private practice after that and then was in higher education.
Q: Currently you are doing some volunteering at the thrift store in Elberta which supports Mary’s Shelter. How long have you been helping there?
Jeanne: It was about a month after it opened so it is a little more than 2 ½ years ago.
Q: What inspired you to want to volunteer?
Jeanne: The mission of Mary’s Shelter is amazing; the mothers and children who they take in and assist. I wanted to do something to help and I did want to work inside of a store but not have to go to work everyday because I do enjoy being retired. (laughs)
Q: What are some of the things that you do in the thrift store?
Jeanne: As a volunteer, you do what ever is needed, as well as what you can do. I mainly work in the front with the customers and operate the cash register. I do enjoy helping customers find items they may be looking for. But, when it is needed, I will be in the back of the thrift store, sorting through donations and pricing items.
Q: When you volunteer at Mary’s Shelter Thrift Store, do you see many different people?
Jeanne: Absolutely and I do enjoy getting to know many interesting individuals. There are girls who enjoy going out shopping for fun during afternoons. Other shoppers look for vintage items and enjoy hunting and digging for unique stuff. Then there are also those who come in because this is where they need to shop due to their means. I’m touched by their stories and it is a good feeling to help someone who is going through hard times find quality clothing that they can afford.
Q: And the additional benefit is that all of the proceeds from each sale at the thrift store go towards funding the Mary’s Shelter maternity home?
Jeanne: One hundred percent of the proceeds help the women and children and because Mary’s Shelter is a 501(c)3, there is no sales tax!
You can find Jeanne Smith at the Mary’s Shelter Thrift Store on most Tuesday afternoons from 2:00-6:00 PM. If you would be interested in joining her as a volunteer, contact Nikki Blakemore, the thrift store manager at (251) 979-1877 or [email protected]