I knew I’d like Thora Adams when she greeted me at the front door. She told me to remember her name by thinking  “goddess of thunder”, and later related that as the mother of five sons, she had to be. Thora met her late husband Cornelius in her native England while he was stationed there in the military and they opened this store in the 1970s. An earlier store had operated at the same site. All their sons still live nearby, and people in the neighborhood are glad to have a neighborhood store and gathering place. I certainly enjoyed talking with her about country stores and everything else. Thora is open every day except Sundays. Stop by and see her on Georgia Highway 158, about 12 miles south of Douglas, between the 17 Mile River and the Ware County Line. Just bring cash. She doesn’t take debit or credit cards.

Thora graciously posed with her granddaughter for this shot, one of my favorites in all my travels. David Adams writes: “My father Cornelius Adams owned the store before leaving it to my twin Paul Adams. We love this old store and hope it stays open forever. I had a lot of memories there as a child as did my three girls and all four of my brothers’ children. Stop by and see Michelle now and buy something. It is hard to compete with all of the chain stores. Old Country stores are becoming obsolete.“

I was really impressed at how well-stocked and practical the store was. Thora even sells cane poles.

And finally, the RC sign. What would a Southern country store be without one?

I was very saddened to learn of Thora’s passing in 2015, but I will never forget her. She was one of my favorite “discoveries” in all my years of photographing rural Georgia and her infectious good spirit remains with me to this day.