While all the other racers donned in colorful, trendy sportswear were doing their basic calisthenic stretches and prancing from foot to foot warming up for Saturday’s (June 25) fundraising Run for Ringgold race, one humble and inconspicuous participant stood quietly at the back of the line, leaning on her crutches, waiting patiently for the race to begin.

Jeanie McClure, clad in a modest khaki skirt and race T-shirt, wasn’t interested in winning or performing at the event. She was just there to donate her money and finish the race. Ironically, life in general has more than pre-pared her to persevere and face any hardship that lies before her.

Having lost one leg due to complications from a car accident injury nearly 20 years ago, and more recently sur-viving the April tornado that destroyed her Cherokee Valley home, McClure is no stranger to overcoming obstacles.

She was told after the car accident that she would possibly lose part of her knee cap, but after some complica-tions and negligence on her caretaker’s part, she unfortunately lost most of her leg.

“I still can’t believe it some days,” said McClure of the accident, “and every day, I still wonder why. I get frus-trated sometimes, but I don’t let it get me down. I could’ve laid down and given up years ago, but what good would it have done? I had to move on.”

McClure maintains a similar attitude toward the recent tragedy she and her husband endured when the April 27 tornado struck their log cabin home in Cherokee Valley, sliding it eight feet from its original foundation. The cou-ple was home when the storm passed through and barely made it to the basement in time to protect themselves.

“My husband was standing on the porch watching the weather, and I was sitting watching television,” she said. “He came running back in the house saying, ‘Here comes the train!’. We could see the tornado coming,” said McClure.

She and her husband Steve made a desperate attempt to get to the basement, and despite her slow mobility on crutches, made it with only “seconds to spare.”

Fortunately, the McClures were insured and will be able to rebuild their home, which had to be demolished af-ter the damage was assessed. They are living in a trailer on the property while they wait.

Although both tragedies have been devastating for her and her family, she doesn’t spend her time being bitter or resenting the adversity that has come her way, but chooses to embrace the positive instead.

She had nothing but praise for the recovery shelter at Cherokee Valley Baptist Church, that is still sustaining them with food and supplies while they rebuild.

When she heard of the race, she was determined to give back and do her part in supporting a community that had so graciously provided for her and her family during their time of need.

She has two grandsons in the Ringgold and Tiger Creek schools and was glad to invest in their futures. Her hus-band Steve and her sister Kay Kay Crider from Tunnel Hill walked beside her in the race.

“I did it for Ringgold,” McClure explained. “I did it for all of us. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life goes on. You don’t give up or let things destroy you. We’ve all lost a lot, but we can’t give up. We will be back and stronger than ever.”