Threads of Hope carries founder’s mission forward

Dylan Busby dylan@silsbee-bee.com The Silsbee Bee SILSBEE — Every Friday morning, a group of women gathers at First Methodist Church in Silsbee with sewing machines, fabric, thread and a purpose. Threads of Hope Silsbee meets from 10 a.m. to noon each Friday, beginning each gathering with a morning prayer before turning donated materials into items meant to comfort people in need. The group makes pillow ports for cancer patients, teddy bears for law enforcement officers to keep in their vehicles, hats, bags and other handmade items for nonprofits, nursing homes, children and local organizations. The ministry traces its roots to Jan Wilson, who started the sewing group in February 2018. Wilson, who died Oct. 5, 2025, left behind a ministry that its members say continues because of her faith, energy and refusal to let others sit on the sidelines. “You could see the halo coming off that woman,” Sharon Wornick said. Wilson and her husband, Russ, came to Silsbee after he bought D. Hart’s Grocery, located between Silsbee and Kountze. Russ had worked in Beaumont and for Goodyear before deciding to go into business for himself. The store became Russ Wilson’s, eventually growing into eight grocery stores across the area, including locations in Silsbee, Beaumont and Sour Lake. After selling the stores, Russ and Jan retired in their 50s and traveled the world. When they made Silsbee home, they became active at First Methodist Church. Jan taught Sunday school and Bible studies, including one that began in a yarn shop, where she also taught women how to crochet. Wilson later heard about women making bags for disadvantaged children and decided Silsbee could do the same. Threads of Hope began with CASA bags and fleece pillows for nursing homes. It grew from there. “She would not take no for an answer,” Plumlee said. Wilson invited women whether they knew how to sew or not. Some stitched. Others cut fabric, organized supplies, cleaned up, delivered donations or helped make crafts. Vickie Plumlee said Wilson once introduced her as the group’s liaison to nursing homes after learning Plumlee already helped with crafts while her husband preached there. “We were her girls,” Plumlee said. The group began small, with early members including Debbie Richardson, Sharon Wornick and Yvonne, and has grown to about 25 members, with 12 to 15 regular contributors and about 20 women involved on many Fridays. Other members include Diane LePore, Marsha Culik, Vickie Plumlee and Tina Simmons. Richardson now helps lead much of the group’s work. Members said she keeps a log of items distributed, tracks donations, buys supplies, gives instructions and helps keep projects moving. “Debbie Richardson is our go-to get-her-done girl,” Plumlee said. Threads of Hope depends on donations of material, thread, notions and money to continue its work. The group also uses business cards and a Facebook page to invite others and share photos of donations being delivered. Members say the purpose remains the same as it was under Wilson: serve others and honor God. “For years, Jan told Debbie and me, ‘You have to keep this going when I’m gone,’” Wornick said. Now, the women of Threads of Hope say they are doing just that. “This group belongs to God,” Richardson said.