Miss Annie Lewis

ReStore Manager and Habitat Homeowner

“What makes me most proud of working for Habitat is the way everyone loves and respects one another.”  – Annie Lewis.

It was 1996 when Annie Lewis first heard about Habitat for Humanity and its homeownership program. On the advice of Annie Bradwell, who was working for the USDA housing program and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, Ms. Lewis picked up an application and attended an orientation meeting.

At the time, Lewis was working at Chipola Retirement Center and Chipola Health and Rehabilitation as a kitchen aid and cook. After becoming a Habitat partner, she continued to work full time while also remaining committed to completing her sweat equity hours. Her first job as a volunteer was to work in receiving; later, she became a cashier. Over the years, she continued to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, despite having completed the hours required to obtain her mortgage.

In December of 2010, Ms. Lewis retired from her work in the kitchen and devoted her full attention to Habitat. Three years later, when the organization entered a strong expansion phase, she became the second paid employee when she accepted a position as a full-time cashier. Her continued work with Habitat not only gave her a feeling of fulfillment, it also enabled Ms. Lewis to stay current on her mortgage.

In August of 2018, Ms. Lewis was promoted to ReStore Manager at our Marianna ReStore, and on October 1, 2019, she paid the final payment on her Habitat home. When asked how her relationship with Habitat has changed her life, she replied, “Where I didn’t have any faith in myself, I have found a group of people that love and care and it has changed my whole outlook on life.”

Throughout the process, Annie Lewis has constantly inspired those around her with her humble, affectionate nature and the love and dedication she has shown to both Habitat and her community.