Celestine Sibley, beloved Georgia author, once interviewed a lady who said, “A new friend makes life so interesting, doesn’t it?†I quite agree.
Recently, at an authorÐÔÊӽ紫ý event at Jackson Hill, I had the pleasure of meeting Jeanne Cahill. The conversation was interesting because she tells many great stories about her life. Indeed. Jeanne recently launched her new memoir, “Call Me Jeanne,†at a book signing in Atlanta. She subsequently had a book signing at Cecil TÐÔÊӽ紫ý Mercantile in ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Rome, at which she had a great time autographing books and meeting people. She is featured in the June issue of V3 magazine in an article titled, “A Lifetime Legacy: Jeanne Cahill.â€
Jeanne grew up in Alma. In that small south Georgia town, her father bought a Sinclair service station. She was one of eight children. She and her siblings used to watch to see if there were children with the customers at the gas station so they would have somebody to play with.
In 1949 Jeanne enrolled at Berry College as a home economics major. She said, “ThatÐÔÊӽ紫ý because I bought into the myth that all girls could do was get married and have children.†Jeanne subsequently returned to Berry and completed her degree. This time she majored in English. She graduated and was valedictorian of her class. She was 75 years of age.
Jeanne worked as a volunteer for Jimmy CarterÐÔÊӽ紫ý presidential campaign. Once he was elected, he appointed her to the White House Conference on Families. She was tasked with interviewing people all over the country, asking them what the federal government does that strengthens families, and what the federal government does that is detrimental to families. Jeanne said it was a marvelous experience.
One day Jeanne and her husband were at an event in Atlanta and Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were there. Jimmy came over to them and said, “Jeanne! ItÐÔÊӽ紫ý good to see you!†He gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. The press was at the event. They saw Jimmy Carter give her the kiss on the cheek and swarmed all around her. She knew they were looking for something salacious. They asked her, “How long have you known Jimmy?†Jeanne responded, “My husband and I have known Jimmy and Rosalynn since before he ran for office.†The press promptly scattered and left her alone.
JeanneÐÔÊӽ紫ý husband, Al Cahill, was very successful in the insurance business. ThatÐÔÊӽ紫ý what brought them to Atlanta. They were married 51 years and, in later years, lived in Rome. Their house was on Fifth Avenue at East Third Street, right near RomeÐÔÊӽ紫ý historic clocktower. Shelly Peller, a physical therapist here in Rome, is the granddaughter of the people who built the home. Jeanne said she and Al found some old grocery lists behind one of the kitchen cabinets. Shelly told her that food from an Atlanta deli was delivered to her grandparents by Greyhound bus. The home had a mezuzah on every doorpost. Jeanne carefully removed them and gave them to Shelly.
It was fun interviewing Jeanne. I am always glad to hear a good story, especially true stories from the life of a fellow native Georgian. Yep. A new friend makes life so interesting.
Rome, Ga., native Pam Walker is a retired paralegal, avid cyclist, history enthusiast, and ardent reader of Southern fiction. The author of “People, Places and Memories of Rome,” and “Write Now,” her new book, “Rome Is Where I Belong,” will be published this summer. Email her at walkerwritesrome@gmail.com.
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