If it’s true that “home is where the heart is,” then Eve Cole has found a home in the hearts of the Piney Grove Baptist Church congregation in more ways than one.
Eve’s husband, Ron, had served as pastor of Piney Grove Church — near Samson in Geneva Association — only 15 months when he was killed in a car accident near the church in October 2003.
He left behind his wife of 27 years and two adult children, Josh and Jessica, as well as a grieving church family.
However, it did not take long for the members of Piney Grove Church to turn their grief into action and address the practical needs of Eve.
“My first thought was what is Mrs. Eve going to do?” said church member Richard Smith.
A desperate situation
The Coles’ home was the church’s parsonage, and, therefore, Eve would lose her home when a new pastor was called.
Making the situation even more desperate was the fact that Eve is disabled, having been born with no arms.
The church quickly formed a committee to address her need for a home.
The committee’s findings led to the involvement of Geneva Association.
According to Geneva Director of Missions Dicky McAllister, concerned members of the association met in February to begin the groundwork for building a home for Eve.
At that meeting, they determined that the project would involve the entire association and community. They also decided that the home would be deeded to Eve Cole and not be owned by the church or the association.
Lastly, they committed to designing the home to meet Eve’s specific physical needs.
“We started from scratch,” McAllister said. “It’s a lock and key project. When we hand her the key, it will be completely finished.”
Volunteers have been working steadily since that February meeting. About 30 volunteers have helped in the actual construction of the home, which is located near Smith’s family home.
He has coordinated much of the construction and works at the site almost every day.
Smith said that at least 90 percent of the work has been done entirely by volunteers.
However, they did hire professionals to do the concrete and roofing work. Fundraising has continued steadily throughout the project.
Smith said the committee’s goal was to raise $40,000–$45,000.
At last count they had raised approximately $23,000 through special events such as a pancake supper, but Smith said most of the funds have come through designated offerings and personal donations.
Generous donations
Smith said that area businesses have given generous donations to the project, which has allowed the volunteers to make more progress than they expected.
Naturally, Eve is grateful to her church, association and community.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anything so incredible done by human beings,” she said. “We were overwhelmed by the love of these people even before Ron’s accident.”
She was born and reared in Anniston and was the youngest of four children. Eve attended public school and said her disability didn’t really bother her until she reached her teenage years.
Today Eve is employed by Fort Rucker as an automation clerk and is quite independent.
“Since I was born this way, I instinctively used my feet,” she said, “You don’t miss what you have never had.”
With Eve’s positive attitude and determination to overcome obstacles, it’s no wonder she has won the hearts of Piney Grove Church and her community.
As Smith said, “If you ever met Mrs. Eve, you’d be amazed. She’s a wonderful lady.”
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