Mary Shrunk - from BRAHM Listening Day - Sept 20, 2025
Story
This story was submitted on December 4, 2025 by Admin
- Title
- Mary Shrunk - from BRAHM Listening Day - Sept 20, 2025
- Description
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This oral history interview features Mary Schrum, recorded on September 20, 2025, at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum. Schrum, originally from Hickory, has owned property in Watauga County since 1997 and considers the area her second home. She provides a deeply personal and spiritual account of her extensive volunteer work following Hurricane Helene.
Schrum and her husband were living at their mountain home when the storm hit. Though their property was undamaged, they lost power for nine days and were initially cut off by a massive quarter-mile mountain slide on Sampson Road. Local neighbors with chainsaws, tractors, and excavators cleared a single-lane path, allowing residents to evacuate. Once power was restored around October 5th or 6th, Schrum felt compelled to volunteer with Samaritan's Purse.
The interview includes a harrowing account of getting lost in the mountains without cell service or cash, ending up in Roan Mountain, Tennessee, on increasingly primitive roads before her phone was crushed by heavy equipment in Elk Park. This experience led to her practical advice about carrying maps and cash. Throughout, Schrum emphasizes her spiritual transformation, noting that despite the devastation, she never witnessed survivors blaming God—instead seeing faith strengthened. She reflects on gaining a new perspective on what truly matters in life and the importance of community connection. - Spatial Coverage
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