When Stacy Banks handed a Bible to Edna Mae Yates, who is moving into a new Habitat house in western Anniston, she wasn’t quite prepared for what Yates told her. “I already have a copy,” said Yates, crowned in a Jacksonville State University hat — the first time over the past week she hasn’t been wearing her trademark straw hat.
Later, Yates told the people who worked on her house just how much it all meant to her.
“I didn’t meet no strangers this week,” Yates said. “I met angels.”
And so, Banks goes back to Ballwin, Mo., an angel in the eyes of a 75-year-old black woman who works the night shift.
Banks was one of two Solutia employees to present Yates with the customary hammer and Bible at the week-ending dedication ceremony in western Anniston. The gesture capped a week in which Banks learned a great deal, worked very hard, and came away with a resolve to help people back home.
Some work on the house remained to be completed, yet Banks knows she participated in almost every facet of building it. She took away some skills she said she’d use on her own home someday.
She strolled around the home Friday, using a disposable camera to take pictures of her handiwork and that of her co-workers. The team managed to erect most of a house in just 4Z\x days. She had little streaks of white paint scattered across her forearms and shins.
“It’s amazing, it’s pretty impressive,” Banks said, taking one last frame. “The team work in getting something like this done is just impressive. We all worked hard and got it pretty much done.”
Banks thought so much of her experience that she plans to join her local Habitat for Humanity affiliate when she gets home.
“I’m glad the homeowners gave us this experience,” Banks said.
She shook hands with her co-workers, who came from around the nation. Some were fellow Solutia employees from her office, yet she’d never had the chance to meet them before.
After the dedication ceremony, Banks planned to head back to JSU to get dinner and attend the closing ceremony, though she didn’t know whether she’d have enough energy left over to attend the evening concert.
She leaves on a bus pointed in the direction of St. Louis early this morning, and should arrive tonight. Her own homecoming awaits her.
“After I get off the bus, I’ll say ‘hi’ to my husband, give him a big hug,” Banks said. “Then, I’ll probably go home and pass out in my own bed.”
