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VIDALIA, La. – Cheryl Probst believes in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ not just in words but in deeds as well.

A retired educator and lifelong volunteer, Probst is described by a friend as “a true gem” whose “heart is in it for the right reasons” in a recommendation to be featured as the Volunteer of the Week.

Probst humbly says she’s just living out her faith, in small ways each day.

“It’s our duty and responsibility as Christians to show love to everybody and to help every way you can,” she said.

Probst grew up in Vidalia and graduated from Vidalia High School, where she eventually returned as an educator. Her career continued as a teacher and administrator in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, and in her retirement, she has turned to public service as a former member of the Concordia Parish School Board and serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Concordia Chamber of Commerce since 2018.

She and her husband, Tommy, are the parents of three children: Dara and Whest Shirley; Adam and Shannon Probst; and Kayla and Joseph Purvis, as well as 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Through the Love In Deed foundation her family began in 2019, nearly 70 families in Concordia Parish have been helped, whether by paying for emergency utility bills or by purchasing school uniforms for families in need.

In 2018 with Ronnie Calhoun, she helped found the Brightest Stars Ball, an annual event for special needs residents ages 16 and up. And what started with the annual ball is expanding to include other events and activities for special needs residents throughout the year.

She’s active in her church, First Baptist of Vidalia, having participated in Eight Days of Hope trips with fellow church members and directing the Young and Heart program for church members ages 50+.

And she serves on the board of directors for the Ellis Laine Malone Foundation, which was established after Ellis was born and diagnosed with Apert Syndrome. The child’s parents are Heather and Matt Malone, who previously lived in Vidalia.

 

But it’s the quiet, small acts of charity that set Probst apart from others.

“Ever since my children were younger, we’ve always had an extra elderly person in our lives, to love on or take care of,” she said. “We just go by and say hello or call and ask, ‘Can I go to the store for you today?

“And you know, it blesses them and gives you a blessing by doing that.”

In 2012, Probst and her granddaughter, Ryleigh, began baking and delivering Valentine’s Day cookies to widows and widowers in the area. Now, the project is a family affair and more than 70 individuals receive the cookies each year.

“I saw it as an opportunity to teach them that you can care for others by doing something small,” Probst said. “People get so wrapped up in their lives and the things they are doing that they don’t think about others …

“But everybody has some time to carve out to do something for somebody else.”

She tries to teach her children and grandchildren “to stop and think, ‘What can I do to brighten somebody’s day? How can I share God’s love?’”

It’s a philosophy she lives each day.

“Every day I wake up and ask myself, ‘What can I do to help someone today?”

Editor’s note: If you know someone who should be featured as a Volunteer of the Week, email us at stacy.graning@natchezdemocrat.com.