The Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church 1600 Shady Grove Road Jefferson Texas is positioned to receive a sizable donation, from the Gladys Gray Duffie Restoration and Beautification Foundation.
When Mrs. Duffie the foundation namesake, residing in Dallas at the time; declared it a miracle from God when she was informed via the local Jefferson paper that the Savage fires that swept through East Texas in 2011 had burned very near the main entrance of the church and yet the church was not damaged. The lady Duffie expressed to her family her desire to do something to preserve the historic church and to ensure its continual functionality. Thus the foundation was formed in that same year.
Through donations from friends and family and corporate sponsors the foundation was able to bless the church with and inaugural gifting of over $2,000. And has been gratefully and graciously able to increase their donations thereafter.
The foundation founder and chair the late Mrs. Gladys Gray Duffie went home to be with the Lord September 14, 2017. However, she has left foundation legacy and other philanthropic work to her children, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren, and even her great great grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank all those who have continued to support the foundation down through the years, and look forward to serving the church and the community and our great God for many years to come.