Good Deeds: Grocer helped elderly customer

Robert Gentry, owner of The Corner Store on Broadway in Cape Girardeau helped 97-year-old Corona Harper carry her groceries home regularly from January 2007 to August when she was moved to a nursing home due to a fall. He closed the store when she finished her shopping and walked her home about once a week.

"Sometimes traffic on Broadway can get busy," he said.

"She lived a block away from the store and it never jeopardized the customer flow," Gentry said. "I could turn around if a customer came around — that's how close she lived."

Gentry grew to know Harper and learned she had taught locally for many years. "She would carry most of the items herself but needed help with heavy items like sugar and milk."

Gentry said he was happy to provide this service that helped Harper remain independent while she lived in the neighborhood.