Serving her community with compassion

A few months ago, a woman needed a ride to work, and I gladly offered to drive her.

That woman was Louryne Spaulding. I had met Louryne while volunteering at Hope House, but I didn't know her all that well. On our drives from the Island to Yulee, I came to know one of the kindest people in our community.

Louryne works as a substitute teacher at a number of different schools. When she talks about the children, her eyes light up. It is clear that she loves them and cares about their well-being. And every Saturday morning after spending a week in the classroom, she shows up with a humble heart to serve the least of those in our community at Hope House with the Coalition for the Homeless. There, the volunteers provide meals, showers, and support resources for the unsheltered and others in need.

Louryne grew up in Fernandina Beach and attended Peck High School. Upon graduation, she joined the Army, which allowed her to travel the world. She continued her travels after serving in the military as a flight attendant with United Airlines for many years. Most people at that point would retire, but not Louryne! Her work with the children is so important to her, and she serves with love and compassion. Her church, Harvest Outreach Ministries, is also extremely important to her. She dedicates time and energy to the church, and last year she was recognized at an installation service as "Mother of the Church." In that role, she serves as a mother figure, a mentor, and a guide to young women in the church, and she acts as "a wise counselor applying biblical truth to everyday life."

Louryne has served as president of the Peck High School alumni association, and she always gives recognition to her classmates on her Facebook page with birthday wishes. Other volunteering includes the Elm Street Sportsmen Association and the Extreme Weather Cooling Center at the First Missionary Baptist Church. And as if that weren't enough, Louryne is president of the Coalition for the Homeless of Nassau County.

When you meet Louryne, you will most certainly notice that she is an impeccable dresser! It is clear that she cares about her appearance, but not in a boastful way. She always looks beautiful. But as the Bible verse says, true beauty comes from the inner self, with the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. That is Louryne — beautiful inside and out.

I am so grateful that I got to spend time with this remarkable woman. It was such a gift. She is truly a role model, not just for the young women in her church, but for all who aspire to serve humbly and love deeply.

Every morning Louryne posts an inspirational message on her Facebook page. I always pay attention to these messages, and they help me to keep a positive attitude throughout the day. One message in particular, posted a while back, sums up Louryne Spaulding in a nutshell:

If you have a story you'd like to share here in the Fernandina Observer — about a neighbor or friend or stranger or business that showed kindness, or about kindness and compassion in general — please contact Peggie Weeks at pegweeks@gmail.com