Mama Nettie's Time to Love

The author describes the devastation of the coastal areas of Hancock County, Mississippi, after the passing of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. She takes you back through history to Pearlington, MS, and shares her childhood memories of the compassion and generosity of her maternal grandparents.

Her grandmother, Arnette Thelma Peters, was a humble woman who placed complete trust in God and was motivated by unconditional love. After being abandoned by her mother, Arnette vowed that no child around her would ever be abused or abandoned. Arnette reared four biological children, and she and her husband, Rev. Charles Giles, went on to raise more than 42 other children in their home.

In 1971, the little black lady from Pearlington, MS was recognized for her years of care and outstanding service. She was honored in Washington, D.C. as that year's recipient of the National Volunteer of the Year Award.

Author Bio:
Gail Clementin-Fusco was born in New Orleans, LA and spent her early childhood in the home of her maternal grandparents in Pearlington, MS.

She attended St. Rose de Lima Grammar and High School in Bay St. Louis, MS and the University of New Orleans.

She was employed by South Central Bell Telephone Co. and worked in various engineering offices in the New Orleans area for 14 years.

After her husband's death in 1979, she relocated to Rome, Italy with her children. While in Rome, she held several positions at the Rome USO, and in 1989, she became the Center's first locally hired Director. Gail held that position for seven years before resigning to return to the United States in 1996.

Gail has five children: Craig, Julie, Shaun, Jeremy and Mark. She currently resides in Casselberry, FL with her children, and she volunteers as a certified catechist at St. Augustine's Parish.