OUR HISTORY

On a cold Sunday afternoon, February 17, 1963 children from the Mooring farm community gathered around "an out-of-tune piano" at the abandoned Mooring Methodist Church to sing "Jesus Loves Me" and hear stories about Jesus. Thus Reelfoot Rural Ministries began – the result of the dreams and prayers of two women, Mrs. Tenne Butler and Mrs. Hilda (McKinnie) Carlson. In 1965, Miss Pauline Precise, a Methodist Deaconess, was assigned as RRM’s first Director. Her office at that time was the trunk of her car. During those early years RRM was housed in numerous locations, including Mooring Church, Mooring School, Cloverdale School and the Armory at Reelfoot Lake. But in 1970 Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Maloney donated land for the RRM Community Center. The "permanent home" was completed in 1972. Other Directors and Co-Directors have been: Deaconess, Mrs. Barbara (Miller) Markham (1973-1976); Rev. Laurance (Buddy) Russ (1975-1979); Deaconess, Miss Louise Sharpe (1976-1978); Rev. Larry Tubb (1979-1986); Rev. Dale Mills (1986-2004); and Rev. Michael Blake (2004-present).

Although many programs have been added since that first Sunday gathering, our love for children continues to be the central issue in numerous services. Our first Day Care was opened in 1973, just following the completion of the Community Center. And our second Day Care was opened in 1999 in Tiptonville and named for one of our co-founders, Mrs. Tenne Butler. Today the two centers are licensed to serve a total of 86 children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age.

Distribution of used clothing was one of the first services added to the children’s activities in the early sixties. And over the years Thrift Stores have been located in several places, including the RRM Center, Bogota, Elbridge, Lane, Finley, South Fulton, Samburg and Ridgely. Today the Ridgely Store which opened in 1988 serves the entire community, making good used clothing as well as furniture and household items available to families in need.

Volunteer Services have always been a major part of RRM. They have included Medical, Eye and Dental Clinics; Beauty and Barber Shops; and Home Repair Services. Today the Dental Clinic and Work Camps (Home Repair) continue to meet tremendous needs in our rural area while offering numerous volunteer opportunities.

Located in a remote, rural community, RRM continues to meet the needs of low-income and elderly families. Today’s services include two Day Care Centers, Transportation, Day Care and Senior Meals, Food Distribution, Home-Delivered Meals, a Thrift Store, Household Items, Furniture, School Supplies, a Christmas Toy Store, a Dental Clinic, Work Camps, Work Projects and Worship Services.