Love Nette: How One Woman’s ‘Amazing Grace’ Inspired a Community
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone. – Hebrews 12:14”
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — That was the last message Nette Fairey publicly shared on Facebook in 2023, and by all accounts, she lived that way. She took to social media to inspire others and her legacy continues through those who were touched by her inspirational words and Bible verses.
Fairey lived a positive life with a positive attitude. But many in her situation would find it difficult to find the strength to do so much. In 2001, her life changed forever when she suffered a stroke while working at the Orange Beach Marina. An incident that to many would be devastating was Fairey’s motivation to thank God and spread his love.
“She saw it as God gave her that stroke and it was a gift to her to bring her back to Him,” Fairey’s friend and roommate Yvonne Shults remembered. “He kept her here to spread his word.”
Shults cared for her friend for over two decades. After a fall, Fairey had to undergo physical and occupational therapy. She didn’t have insurance but thanks to help from Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon, a physical therapist, she was able to have a year of therapy free of charge.
Kennon said he remembers Fairey very well and said she was an inspiration to many.
“She seemed like she never had a bad day,” Kennon said. “When you saw her, she was always smiling. I mean, life deals lemons, but she really, really carried herself in a way that if there was anything whatsoever difficult in her life, you wouldn’t know.”
Kennon said he saw a lot of patients over his career, but not one quite like Fairey.
“She had complete faith that the hand she was dealt was divine,” Kennon remembered. “It was God’s doing for whatever reason, and she knew that she was going to use that to be an inspiration but also help folks understand God.”
Shults continued her caretaking duties and even paid off all of Fairey’s bills over the course of 15 years, never questioning her calling to help.
While in hospice care at home, Fairey was able to watch her favorite movie at the time, “Top Gun Maverick.”
“We must have watched that movie 100 times,” Shults remembered. “She would say, ‘Let’s watch that movie.’ But she eventually got to the point where she couldn’t eat certain things, but we would sit and laugh and have a good time and talk about different movies and she was all into the soap operas.”
Fairey passed away in 2024, with her best friend by her side.
“I was with her up to the very last moment. I literally had my hand on her chest to her left, and I sang Amazing Grace to her. It was the last thing she heard before she passed away.”
While her body is no longer with her friends, Fairey’s spirit continues.
“I just think that every sign points to me having to carry on her legacy,” Shults said. “God is just telling me that I have to.”
Shults said she wants people to know that when Fairey said, “Love Nette,” she meant it.
“I want people to know that every word that came out of her mouth was the truth,” said Shults. “And that she really did love you.”
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