Lorie's Story

ABOUT LORIE –

I was born and raised in Kodak TN, attended Northview through middle school and graduated from Sevier County High School. I went on to Pellissippi State and obtained an Accounting Degree and studied Business Law and Marketing. I hold several Banking Certifications from various classes.

I worked in banking for 18 years and worked my way up from the proof department to the teller line, new account set up, and eventually banking operations supervisor.   In 2007, my husband Norman and I were hit head on by a drunk driver in Townsend while riding our motorcycle. This was life changing for us. Norman’s leg was broken and he now has a metal rod in it. His thumb was crushed so he also has pins holding his thumb. I suffered a crushed hip, pelvis, and ankle, broken femur, displaced knee cap, and dislocated shoulder.  After 13 surgeries and a whole lot of metal, a year in a hospital bed, doctors said I would never walk again.  After 3 years of physical therapy, stubborn determination, and the Good Lord, I was finally able to walk again.  I did lose 3” of femur, causing me to walk with a limp. I wear a lift on my right shoe and deal with pain on a daily basis, but I recognize that I am most definitely blessed to be here and often say He has something more in store for me to do.

When we opened the store, I was still on a walker and had friends help me because I just couldn’t make it through the day. I’m so thankful for those good friends because we all know as a small business just starting out, I couldn’t pay them, I just had to thank them and love them.