SKEETER’S NEW BEGINNING

Volunteers unite to rebuild after Hurricane Helene

JONESBOROUGH — When you first hear the name “Skeeter,” you might picture someone spirited and full of life — and 72-year-old Skeeter Lewis is exactly that. Even after losing her home, car, and belongings in last year’s Hurricane Helene flooding, Skeeter’s energy and gratitude shine as brightly as ever.

In August, Skeeter welcomed volunteers and supporters to the dedication of her new home, a project made possible by Appalachia Service Project (ASP), the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (TBMB), Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief (TBDR) and volunteers from Mount Lebanon Baptist Church in Maryville, Tenn., and Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) students from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, all working together to rebuild what the flood had taken away.

At the August dedication, many of those who worked on the house toured Skeeter’s new home — a sage-colored, 864-square-foot house with two bedrooms, one bath, and a large deck circling the back. They also hugged Skeeter as she made the rounds, joyfully thanking everyone.

The past year hasn’t been easy for Skeeter. The nightmare began with the first flash flood alert warning that popped up on her phone in the early morning hours of Sept. 27, 2024. The Nolichucky River normally meanders along the four acres she owns in Washington County. Not that morning. By 8 a.m., the river quickly rose and covered the land outside the home where she lived with one grandson. Skeeter ran next door to where her son’s family lived and banged loudly to alert them.

“[There was] something different about this,” she recalled. “The water’s moving too fast.”

The water was up 15 minutes later, and Skeeter and her son’s family escaped by car through the woods toward the highway. She assumed her home would be safe because of the bricks circling the house’s exterior, installed by her late husband. But flooding shoved the house off its foundation and into the treeline, where it was crushed by the water’s angry turbulence. She lost everything: her home, car, and the shed outside. Even today, a few items remain tangled in nearby trees.

Skeeter eventually moved into a donated motor home. A cousin signed her up with Appalachia Service Project, a nonprofit home replacement and repair organization, and work was started on a new house. Skeeter donated the funds she received from FEMA — about $45,000 — to ASP. Additionally, the TBMB donated $25,000 from donations it received through TBDR’s Arise and Build initiative.

Larry Stinson, a TBDR volunteer and member of Mount Lebanon, knew of her need and presented the opportunity to the congregation. People started donating money, and now Skeeter has a new home and the furniture to fill it.

Pastor Raymond Burnett said supporting Skeeter’s house build aligns with the church’s mission.

“We’ve been called to serve, called to be a light in the world and to help others, and to shine the light of Christ in that fashion,” he said. “It’s just who we are, who we’re supposed to be.”

For Skeeter, the compassion shown by Mount Lebanon, TBDR, ASP, and the many volunteers who assisted in the build means everything.

“I’ve just got a really strong bond with them all,” Skeeter said. “They’ve all lifted me up. They’ve all prayed for me. They’ve given me hope. They’ve given me encouragement.”

Skeeter specifically mentioned the UTC BCM group who volunteered in the build and wrote Scripture verses on the studs during framing.

“That was awesome,” Skeeter said. “Then we walked around and prayed together.”

When asked how she feels coming up on the one-year anniversary of the storm, Skeeter responded, “I have nothing to fuss about, complain about, cry about other than joy, other than just pure joy. My happiness is coming from the abundance of my heart. The people that have gone over and above, they keep me going.

“It’s a thumbs up for God,” she said. “He’s my rock.” B&R