Society of Samaritans (SOS) has formed “Team Judy” in honor of its director, Judy Everett, who has been on leave due to illness.

Everett went on leave earlier this year after being diagnosed with acute leukemia, but her ailment is in remission and she has one more treatment of chemotherapy remaining, according to her daughter-in-law, Crystal Everett.

Everett has been unable to return to SOS, but volunteers and friends say they are running the facility just as if she were there.

“We’re doing this the way Judy would have done it,” volunteer and friend Lynette Gibbons said. “She’s still commander-in-chief.”

Gibbons was one of Everett’s first clients when Everett began handing out clothes from her front porch more than 25 years ago. She said several of the volunteers who make up “Team Judy” are people who have gone to Everett for help over the years.

“It was like God was training us to run it without her being here,” Gibbons said.

According to Gibbons, everyone involved with SOS knows Everett, whether she helped them or they came from a nearby church. Each member of “Team Judy” shares a story with Everett or understands her objective for SOS.

The team communicates with Everett daily. Gibbons said Everett has heard nothing but good reports and has thanked them for all that they do.

Another member of “Team Judy,” Gina Galloway, said Everett always quoted the verse “feed my sheep,” and that’s what they intend to do.

Everett founded SOS in 1986 after talking with church leaders in the area and including them in the organization’s creation.

SOS is a coalition of churches and service organizations that work together to help meet the basic needs of the community, including food, clothes, bills and shelter. It is a non-profit organization that is dependent on resources and operating funds through donations from churches, community members and local organizations.

The team consists of Gibbons, Lynn Cornett, Galloway, Angel Padilla, Cindy Padilla, Blanca Cardoza, Cathy Ehley, Vicki Rich, Robyn Love, Janet Hadley, Elma Hebner, Norma Ramirez, Erin Wilson, Karen Arroyo, Chris White, Alonza Walker, Rocky Glasscock and Midlred Ashworth.

The group also recently ordered “Team Judy” baseball jerseys which were worn at the SOS Charity Tournament hosted by the Magnolia Baseball Association.

The proceeds from the charity tournament go to SOS to help buy Christmas toys for children.

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