Tornado-destroyed store rebuilt in Webster's Chapel

Joey George is reopening a store in Webster's Chap

Owner Joey George is seen in front of the new Webster's Chapel Country Store on Thursday near Glencoe, Ala. The store was destroyed in the April 27, 2011, tornado, and the community helped rebuild it.

Marc Golden | Gadsden Times

Published: Friday, September 21, 2012 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, September 21, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.

Joey George believes it is a miracle he and his wife survived a direct hit by the tornado that ripped through Webster?s Chapel on April 27, 2011.

The tornado, which did major damage throughout the community, demolished his store and house. It lifted the couple up in the air and carried them a distance ? without either suffering major injury.

And George said it?s another miracle that he was able to rebuild his store with the help of the community.

His new store at the intersection of A.P. Hollingsworth Road and Webster?s Chapel Road is called the Webster?s Chapel Country Store. It will have a ?soft opening? at 7 a.m. Saturday and a grand opening the following weekend.

George?s old store a half-mile away was The Lil? Store. He operated it for about two years after the A.P. Hollingsworth store closed in Webster?s Chapel.

He said a store is needed in the community because the nearest ones are several miles away in Hokes Bluff or Glencoe.

George picked the store?s name for a reason ? to recognize the community and its people, who ?helped rebuild everything.?

Volunteers helped with cleaning, providing furnishings and the like. George believes God led the community to help.

?I was in God?s hands (during the tornado),? he said, ?and God performed another miracle, because without the help of the community, I couldn?t have done it by myself.?

George, 53, said he and his wife, Beth, got behind the counter with their arms around each other as the tornado struck and leveled the store.

?We held on to each other and started praying,? he recalled. ?We went up about 18 or 20 feet, flew about 45 feet and got (dragged) about 25 to 30 feet.?

George needed 12 stitches in one arm and eight in the other and had a head injury. His wife also needed stitches, and both have pin-size scars where debris stuck them.

?It?s all God?s miracle,? he said. ?It?s a miracle of God we were still alive, and through the grace of God, we got the money to build this other store.?

The new store is larger than the old one, is patterned after traditional country stores and will have meat, bread, milk and canned goods like a grocery store. However, George plans to continue traditions he had at his old store ? giving bubble gum or candy to children and having a free cup of coffee available for adults. He said there will be a donation jar for those who want to contribute, but it won?t be required.

?Between kids and old people, we need to take care of them,? George said. ?That?s just something I can give back.?

George said in old county stores, the owner knew customers? names and would give children candy.

?It?s a throwback in time,? he said. ?I want to bring that back.?

There will be a table set up for playing checkers and visiting and keeping up with the news of the day, or perhaps just plain gossiping. Oak Grove Church is donating a bench that will be on the front porch.

?It?s just like someone can feel at home when they come in,? George said.

Source: http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20120921/news/120929971

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