Meet some neat FIA people
The St. John's are enthusiastic supporters of Faith In Action of Upper Pinellas, located in Dunedin. Carmen Wilson first met them three (3) years ago at the Union Academy Family Center in Tarpon Springs, Florida, where she is an IRS certified and trained tax preparer and site coordinator - she prepared their taxes then and is still doing it.
The photo was taken in Washington, DC in 1953, when Horace (Ed) St. John returned from Korea. He had flown in from California and Faye met him for the first time in fourteen (14) months - what a HAPPY REUNION !!
Ed first met Faye fifty-nine (59) years ago in line, in the cafeteria of Murphy's Department store in Richmond, Virginia. This is where they both worked; she sold flowers and paint, he was a stock man.
One day he was eating lunch with a co-worker and said to him, "that girl is going to be my wife." Ed was nineteen (19) and Faye was eighteen (18). Months later, they were married in St. John's Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. They did not have a honeymoon; just a few days away. This happened in 1950 when he was eligible for the military draft, so he joined the Air Force.
In about one month he was en route to Basic Training. He traveled by train from Richmond, Virginia to San Francisco, California - from there to a troop ship which was headed to Japan, then Korea. Ed was in Korea for fourteen (14) months. Later, he departed from Korea through Japan on his way back to San Francisco. From there he flew to Washington, DC to meet Faye after almost two (2) years away. They later settled in Highland Springs, Virginia where they raised a son and now have three (3) grandchildren. They currently reside in Tarpon Springs, Florida. They have said the following often: "God has been GOOD !!!!
Today, I spoke at First Christian Church, 1400 San Christopher Drive, Dunedin, FL. I presented the programs of Faith In Action of Upper Pinellas (Independent Living and Strong for Life Exercise Programs) and attracted the attention of one of the most energetic, viable citizens that I've ever met. Her name is Helen Bauter, born January 12, 1905. She came to Florida from Watertown, NY; and has been in Florida for over 40 years. Her husband was a country club manager in Connecticut and she was a housewife, with 4 brothers and 4 sisters to enjoy. She played golf and went bowling for fun, exercise and relaxation.
Helen states that "the secret to long life is to stay active."
Louise Mac George was born on May 20, 1911 in Brooklyn, New York. In those days few homes had electricity and few families had automobiles; most didn’t even have indoor plumbing. Louise had an older sister, Viola, and her family also included a cousin, Madeline whose mother had died and whose father wasn’t able to care for her.
When Louise was 23, she went to a party at her Aunt Minnie’s home where she met Warren MacGeorge. He was a handsome man and he took an interest in her. Despite the fact she was an adult and even had a job, Louise had been very sheltered in her upbringing, and, using her words, "she didn’t want to be bothered with boys." Several weeks later, at a cousin’s house, they met again. This time they took a walk. He had been sent on an errand to buy some beer. Louise told him that she thought beer was terrible and the men should all drink chocolate ice cream sodas instead. Warren suggested that they go someplace together for the sweet drinks; they did. They sat together and talked for hours over the chocolate sodas; that was the beginning of a story that lasted for 68 years. They married six years later. Louise and Warren never had children of their own, but Louise’s sister, Viola, passed away leaving a daughter Rhoda, that the couple raised as their own from when she was small. To this day Louise and Rhoda are devoted to one another.
In the early 70’s Louise and Warren moved to Dunedin, Florida and lived there until Warren decided he wanted a home with a swimming pool and they moved to Tarpon Woods in Palm Harbor. They enjoyed their time together traveling and taking cruises.
Around the year 2000 the couple found the need to avail themselves of the services of Faith in Action of Upper Pinellas, Dunedin because Warren became ill. Louise had never learned to drive and Faith in Action of Upper Pinellas was able to help, taking him to doctor appointments for various tests. Unfortunately, Warren passed away about seven years ago; Louise asked the volunteers at Faith in Action of Upper Pinellas to help her with transportation for doctor visits and shopping; she has been a care receiver and friend of ours since.
Louise is a strong, very independent woman who still cleans her own home, even though she uses a walker to stay mobile. She enjoys cooking, eating, making hearty stews and yummy desserts. Louise's strong spirit kept her capable and able through the spring of 2010. Unfortunately Louise passed on July 19, 2010 at age 99.
