Life has a way of surprising us—sometimes with joy, sometimes with sorrow. Over the last decade, I thought I had found my groove. Scott was thriving in his role as a police officer, Amanda was married with her growing family in Texas, and Roni and I spent weekends in Atlanta, soaking up concerts and making memories. Life felt full, busy, and meaningful.
We celebrated milestones, like Roni’s high school graduation, with a spring break trip to Disney World. It was there that I received a surprising call from The Newnan Times-Herald. They wanted to feature me and Chatty Newnan Women. I was stunned. Something I had started on a whim had grown into a community movement, enough to land me on the front page of the paper.
Scott laughed when people recognized him in public because of the group. He’d come home from work with stories of strangers approaching him, saying, “I know you—you’re in Chatty!” We’d laugh about it, but deep down, I was proud of what the group had become.
New Adventures and Hardships
When Roni graduated and left for UGA, Scott and I found ourselves alone for the first time in years. It felt strange, almost foreign, to have time for ourselves again. But we embraced it, taking small trips and finding joy in reconnecting as a couple. Scott transitioned into a new role with Coweta County as a deputy, giving me even more time to devote to Chatty.
I started volunteering extensively—helping businesses, nonprofits, and anyone who needed a hand. That’s when I received another unexpected call: I had been nominated as one of Coweta County’s Top 25 Most Influential People. I was floored. I couldn’t believe that a simple Facebook group could have such an impact. At first, I didn’t even want to attend the event. I felt like I didn’t belong alongside lawyers, judges, and state representatives. But Scott, in his always-supportive way, insisted: “You don’t realize how much that group has helped people.” He was right. That evening, I was embraced by the community, and for the first time, I truly saw the impact of what I had built.
When Everything Changes
The next few years brought challenges I couldn’t have prepared for. COVID changed everything. Businesses struggled, schools closed, and life felt surreal. Roni’s college graduation—something we had dreamed about—was reduced to watching her name scroll across a television screen. It was heartbreaking.
He came home one evening and told me that he had to go to the fairgrounds the next morning. They were encouraging everyone to receive the Covid vaccine. I begged him not to go. I had told him they didn’t have enough information put out about this vaccine and I didn’t want him to get it. His response to me was, “ after 21 years in the military, I’ve had every vaccine imaginable, if Covid’s gonna get me, Covid’s will get me. “ That man wouldn’t listen to anything, but would always come back saying, “ I should have listened to you”
Scott continued to thrive at his job, earning a promotion to investigator. I still smile thinking about buying him dress shirts and slacks for his new role because, on his days off, he was all about cutoff camo shorts and T-shirts. He loved his work and was proud of what he was accomplishing.
Then, in March, as spring arrived, life shifted in a way I never saw coming. It was a Sunday like any other. Scott and Roni went to Lowe’s to pick up yard supplies while I started mowing the grass. We had plans to grab dinner that evening once we finished the yard work.
But everything changed in an instant. Scott came inside after finishing the edging, saying he was just hot. He took a shower, and moments later, I heard him yelling that he couldn’t breathe. I called 911. The ambulance arrived and rushed him to the hospital. My mind refused to believe it was happening—this man, who ran marathons, 5ks, 10ks and prioritized his health, couldn’t possibly be having a heart attack.
At the hospital, I sat with Roni, waiting for news. When the doctor came out and told me they had lost him in the ambulance, my world shattered. I went back to see him, begged him to come back, and cried as I said goodbye to my best friend, my high school sweetheart, and the love of my life.
Grief and Gratitude
The days and weeks that followed were a blur. Family and friends gathered, neighbors brought meals, family, friends the women of Chatty surrounded me with love and support. Their kindness and presence carried me through those dark days, and I will never be able to thank them enough.
Now, I’m faced with the question: What’s next? How do I move forward without Scott by my side? He was my rock, my foundation, and the center of our family. I don’t have all the answers, but I know I’ll keep going because that’s what he would have wanted.
Finding a New Path
Life was different. It was quieter, lonelier, and filled with a pain I never imagined. But it’s also filled with gratitude—for the love we shared, the memories we made, and the community that has lifted me up in my darkest hours.
I didn’t know what the future would hold, but I took it one day at a time.
Title: Finding Strength Through the Storm: A Journey of Resilience
Life is unpredictable, often delivering challenges that feel impossible to overcome. Eleven days after losing my husband, Scott, I faced yet another trial. An F4 tornado tore through Newnan, leaving a path of devastation in its wake. I was home when I received the tornado alert, and I quickly grabbed my dog, placed him in the bathtub, and made calls to my kids. As I huddled there, I thought to myself, If it’s my time, it’s my time.
But it wasn’t.
The next morning, I ventured out to check on friends and survey the damage. What I saw was heartbreaking—homes destroyed, lives uprooted. Despite my personal grief, I realized that the people around me were also suffering. Their losses looked different from mine, but we were all navigating the same pain.
Rising Together: The Newnan Strong Event
A few days later, I received a call from Joy, a friend who knew me well. She asked for my help in planning the Newnan Strong event, a community effort to rebuild and uplift after the tornado. I initially resisted, telling her, “I just lost my husband. I can’t deal with anything right now.”
But Joy pushed me, knowing that keeping busy would prevent me from sinking into despair. Reluctantly, I said yes.
What followed was a whirlwind of planning, collaborating, and organizing. Donations poured in, T-shirts were printed, and raffle prizes were gathered. By this time, COVID restrictions were easing, and Newnan Strong became the first large community gathering in downtown Newnan since the pandemic began.
The sight of people coming together—laughing, supporting one another, and standing strong—was incredibly moving. For the first time in weeks, I felt a flicker of hope. Helping others distracted me from my own pain and reminded me of the resilience that lies within all of us.
A Year of Darkness
Despite the success of Newnan Strong, the year that followed was one of the hardest of my life. Grief weighed heavily on me. I spent countless nights at the bars in downtown Newnan, trying to drink away the pain of losing Scott.
The support of friends, which had been overwhelming in the early days, began to fade. People moved on with their lives, and the phone calls and visits became less frequent. I found myself alone, struggling to make sense of a future without the man who had been my rock.
A New Beginning: Roni’s Wedding
Amidst the darkness, there was a bright spot—Roni announced she was getting married. My baby girl was all grown up, planning her own wedding and preparing to start a new chapter in her life.
Looking back, it saddens me to realize how much of that time is a blur. My mind was still in survival mode, consumed by grief and unable to fully enjoy the process. But I knew that her happiness deserved my presence and support. Watching her step into this new phase of her life made me realize something important: it was time for me to make a change, too.
Choosing to Move Forward
Grief is a powerful force—it doesn’t disappear overnight, and it often resurfaces when you least expect it. But life, even in its darkest moments, offers glimpses of light. For me, those glimpses came through community, family, and the realization that I still had purpose.
Roni’s wedding became a turning point. It reminded me that life goes on, even when it feels impossible. It reminded me that Scott would want me to find joy, to move forward, and to continue building the life we had worked so hard to create.
Title: When Darkness Turns to Light: Finding Love and Purpose After Loss
Life often surprises us in ways we never expect. After Scott’s passing, I convinced myself that I would never be with another man. I was content being on my own, focusing on my family, my friends, and Chatty Newnan Women. But as always, God had a different plan.
One day, He brought someone into my life who had walked a very similar path. Nick had also suffered a heartbreaking loss, losing his wife to COVID. His life was as uprooted as mine, and when we met, there was an instant connection. Grief has a way of creating an unspoken bond between two people, and I found comfort in knowing I wasn’t alone in my feelings.
An Unexpected Connection
I’ll never forget the first time I saw Nick. It was at a Waffle House, of all places. He had just finished a race in Bradenton, Florida, and something about him felt familiar. In my heart, I truly believe that Scott and his wife, Melanie, had a hand in bringing us together.
From that moment, we talked endlessly, sharing our stories, our pain, and our hopes for the future. He lived just across town, and as we spent more time together, it became clear that our paths were meant to cross.
At first, I wasn’t sure how others would react. I think people were just as shocked as I was when they found out I had met someone. But life has a funny way of humbling you. Until you’ve walked in someone else’s shoes, you can’t understand the decisions they make.
Building a New Life Together
Nick has been an incredible blessing in my life. He’s shown me that it’s possible to love again, even after experiencing the deepest heartbreak. Together, we’ve started a new chapter filled with adventures, laughter, and healing.
We’ve shared so many “firsts.” Our first cruise together was unforgettable, and he convinced me to try something I never thought I’d do—riding on the back of a Harley. For years, I swore you’d never catch me on a motorcycle, but now it’s one of my favorite things. If we’re having an off day, we hop on the bike for some “wind therapy.”
Our adventures have taken us to places like California, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Florida, and this summer, we’re planning a trip to Sturgis. Along the way, I’ve grown to love his family, and he’s become my best friend.
It’s funny how much he reminds me of Scott, and he often says that I remind him of Melanie. It feels as though our angels have brought us together, giving us both a second chance at happiness.
Turning Pain into Purpose
While my personal life has flourished, I’ve also found renewed purpose in Chatty Newnan Women. After stepping away for a while to process my grief, I decided to turn it into a business. Today, the group has grown to nearly 40,000 women, with multiple pages and opportunities for small businesses to advertise.
I’ve joined the Chamber of Commerce and PowerCore, met incredible women like Charisse, who built this website that you might be reading this story on right now. These steps have been transformative, giving me a sense of direction and fulfillment I didn’t think I’d find again.
Finding the Light
Through all the darkness I’ve faced, I’ve learned an important lesson: even in the bleakest moments, there is light. You just have to search for it. Whether it’s through faith, family, community, or love, the light is always there, waiting to guide you forward.
I don’t know exactly what the future holds, but I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. With Nick by my side, my growing community of women, and the support of friends and family, I’m ready to embrace whatever comes next.
Always remember: when life seems impossible, God has a way of showing up and proving that it isn’t.
Closing Thoughts: The Story of Chatty Newnan Women
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading the story of how Chatty Newnan Women came to life. It’s been a journey filled with excitement, laughter, tears, heartbreak, and, above all, a deep sense of community. From its humble beginnings as a small group of friends to a thriving network of nearly 40,000 women, this group has been a testament to the power of connection.
Through every season of my life—joy, loss, and everything in between—this community has been a constant source of support, strength, and love. It’s more than just a Facebook group; it’s a family, a place where friendships are formed, businesses are built, and lives are changed.
Sure, we’ve had our share of drama (who doesn’t?), but when you look for the positive, you see how truly remarkable this community is. These women are a force to be reckoned with—a group that can move mountains when they come together.
I hope you love this community as much as I do. It’s been my lifeline, my passion, and my purpose, and I’m so grateful to have shared this journey with all of you. One thing I’ve learned along the way is that nothing is impossible when it comes to Chatty Newnan Women.
Here’s to the incredible women who make this community what it is, and to all the amazing things we will accomplish together in the future!