Hurricane Katrina evacuees evolve into lifelong friends

BENTON -- As a truck driver, Dale Paradeles passes over Interstates 55 and 57 near Sikeston three or four times a year.

But when Hurricane Katrina struck over a month ago, it wasn't her job that brought Paradeles to those interstates again.

After riding out the hurricane with family and friends in her 100-year-old church in Crossroads, Miss., and living without electricity for a few days, Paradeles decided enough was enough. The 54-year-old began traveling north, and found herself checking into a hotel in Sikeston.

Meanwhile, 62-year-old Marcia (pronounced Mar-see-uh) Pannell, who was living in the Gentilly area of New Orleans, sought refuge in Atlanta for about a week before heading north.

"It was not a pretty picture," Pannell recalled about the aftermath of the hurricane.

Panell decided she wanted to find a rural area and wound up at the American Red Cross hurricane disaster relief shelter in Benton.

"The community was exceptional," Pannell praised.

Around the same time Pannell found the shelter, Paradeles also learned of the shelter through the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce.

When Paradeles arrived at the shelter, she admitted she was in shambles. She had just lost her home of 30 years -- the home she and her late husband raised their children.

But then Paradeles met Pannell.

"She was sitting and crying, and we talked," Pannell recalled about Paradeles.

And the rest is history. From that moment the two women bonded and became instant friends. Paradeles nicknamed Pannell and Pannell isn't afraid to tell Paradeles she talks too much.

After living about three and a half weeks at the shelter, the women had to make a choice of whether or not to stay.

Pannell worked as a security officer for eight years, and her most recent place of employment is under water. Paradeles was involved in an accident prior to the hurricane and is unable to drive her truck.

So the two women found apartments in the area. Pannell now lives in Benton and Paradeles in Bertrand.

"My apartment is very lovely, and I have a neighbor who is very nice," said Pannell, adding she feels blessed she hasn't had to have any federal assistance yet.

Pannell said she is also thankful to be living in Benton.

"I know I'm the only black person living in Benton, and I want the residents to know if there's anything I can do, let me know," Pannell said.

The women said they're grateful for all of the assistance they've received from the communities. They are in the process of sending thank you notes, they said.

While there have been plenty of tears shed over the past several weeks, the new friends admit it's been great to have each other.

"Dale's a sweetie. She's a heart-loving person, sincere -- and she never shuts up," Pannell laughed.

Paradeles said she and Pannell have a super friendship.

"We're both single," Paradeles said. "We have a lot in common. We're close to the same age. We're both religious and come from the same area. What better friendship could you ask for?"

The duo even plans to go sight-seeing around the area and shopping together, Paradeles said.

Paradeles predicted: "We're going to be friends till the end."