FBC Trussville member shares love by way of cards

Jeanne Crow has a habit she doesn’t intend to break.

For nearly 50 years the First Baptist Church, Trussville, member has mailed get well cards, personal notes and devotional publications to sick friends and fellow members, the bereaved and others. But after retiring from her nursing career and the death of her husband, Cecil, her income fell as postage and card costs rose.

So at the age of 71, she decided to find a job in order to feed her card habit. Since 1996, she’s been employed by Alabama Orthopedic, Spine & Sports Medicine Associates in Birmingham, using her R.N. background to archive medical records and insurance claims.

Dependable, conscientious

“As a retired nurse she still had a lot to give,” said Orlean Bruce, administrative assistant at the clinic. “She has always been dependable and conscientious, taking pride in her work. And her card ministry has meant so much to so many people.”

Although cards are her hallmark, Jeanne’s service has ranged across many ages and ministries. She taught 3-year-olds in Sunday School for 25 years where co-teacher, Laura Joiner, recalled her kindness, dependability and ability to fit Bible stories “to the attention span” of her students.

She also used both her nursing and teaching backgrounds on missions trips to Ecuador. With friend and fellow nurse, Louise Morrison, she established a parish-nursing ministry on Wednesday nights where members could have basic vital signs checked. And she took both Bible studies and nursing skills to homebound friends — a ministry that often continued for years.

After turning 90 recently, Crow is still working. But she will soon move to Prattville to live with her niece, Celeste Brewer. To show appreciation for Crow’s longtime Christian service, First, Trussville, declared Aug. 24 as “Jeanne Crow Day.”

In the morning services the church showered her with flowers, donations in her honor and a mailbag filled with cards of appreciation.

And there’s no indication her ministry will stop. Brewer, a member of First Baptist Church, Prattville, said, “She’s already asked me about card shop locations in Prattville.”