Our Story

 

After moving to Southaven in 1965, Mrs. Lorine Cady founded House of Grace, driven by a deep passion for serving others.

 

She spearheaded youth recreation projects and helped acquire the land for Cherry Valley and Greenbrook Parks. In the mid-1970s, she also successfully led a door-to-door fundraising campaign to stop an annexation threat from Horn Lake, directly paving the way for Southaven’s official incorporation in 1980. ​

 

Having decades of civic leadership, Mrs. Cady was elected to the Board of Aldermen in 1984 and served seven consecutive terms from 1985 to 2013. Mrs. Cady was a driving force behind the city’s geographic and economic expansion, continuously championed local parks, and established Southaven's first official senior services division. ​

 

Of all her community and charitable service spanning seven decades, none had a larger impact than what began on May 6, 1985, when Mrs. Cady held a public meeting to discuss the needs of domestic violence victims. Realizing the magnitude of this need, she founded the House of Grace, which has transformed the lives of countless domestic violence survivors in North Mississippi. She served as the Executive Director of the House of Grace for 23 years until her retirement in 2021, helping to rebuild the lives of survivors across the region. ​

 

Today, we, a dedicated team, proudly carry on Mrs. Cady's enduring passion for serving her community.