Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Hurricane victims call Gurdon home

A family victimized by Hurricane Katrina sought shelter through a church in Gurdon a year ago and now has purchased a three-bedroom home after completely starting over.

The house is on East Walnut Street and buying it is nothing short of a miracle, according to the owner.

Shelita Smith, 37, formerly a security officer for the New Orleans Parish School Board, came to Gurdon with her two daughters and pregnant with her son on Aug. 29, 2005.

Her children are: Myketa, 9, a fourth grader at Gurdon Primary School; Myka Marie, 4, a student at Gurdon Head Start; and Sheldon, 5 months old, a student at Great Beginnings Daycare. Sheldon was born in Baptist Medical Center at Arkadelphia.

Smith came to town through Pastor Johnny Harris and the Mt. Cannon Baptist Church, finding food and shelter through the House of Joy on Main Street in Gurdon. Food for the hurricane victims came from private citizens, churches and local help organizations.

Until she began receiving the FEMA funds set aside for victims, Smith lived at the House of Joy.

"There were about 30 of us to come to Gurdon and approximately a half of a dozen stayed here and now call this place home," she said. "I came here through Gods grace, salvation and deliverance.

"I moved into my house from the church shelter in October of 2005, after finding employment as a lifes skills trainer at the Arkadelphia Human Development Center in Caddo Valley."

Smith and her children moved into her East Walnut Street residence, a three-bedroom, one-bath home, and said they were grateful to have a place to rent. The former owner, Don Stone, offered to sell them the house and the family made plans to buy it.

"We worked toward us buying the house and it came to pass," she said. "Our closing came on Aug. 28, 2006, just one day before the anniversary of the hurricane."

Smith said her parents and other relatives remain in New Orleans and she and her children visit there frequently.

"Much of New Orleans has never recovered from the hurricane damage. We like this area for its convenience. Gurdon has banking, the grocery store, and schools within driving distance. I can easily drop off my children," she said. "The hospitality here has been great. I love the way we were welcomed into Gurdon.

I also appreciate the low crime rate. You dont have to try and work or sleep through the sounds of sirens or gun shots. And also unlike New Orleans, Gurdon has very few huge potholes in the road."

Smith said she and her children came to Gurdon through the First New Zion Baptist Church in New Orleans, with the Rev. Jimmy Smith, pastor.

Her pastor has returned to New Orleans.

"I know a few of those who have stayed," she said. "There is Sister Marilyn Walker, on Kansas Road; Minnie Dennis and Thelma Cornelius, and Wayne and Tia Venible, of Beech Street.

Smith said Pastor Smiths wifes father, known as Papa, is also living in Gurdon on 10th Street.

Smith said, "I did consider going back, but nothing has really changed significantly in New Orleans. It is still in a state of devastation. We lost everything in the hurricane. We are glad to have the new life God has given us."