Copyright 2023 © GretchenGriffith.com
Called to the Mountains
The Story of Jean L. Frese
In her own words, retired Salvation Army Major Jean
Lorraine Frese shares her life story and her call to the
Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. She invites the
reader to travel with her into isolated hollows, laugh
with her as she faces mountain traditions, and praise
God with her as she recounts her years of spreading
the gospel.
Through interviews and many pleasant hours spent
with her cousin, author Gretchen Griffith gives a
compelling account of Major Jean’s service in the
mountain mission. The book offers a glimpse into a
faith-filled world based on Christian dedication and
love. Gretchen remembers listening to these tales as a
child at Thanksgiving Day family gatherings and now
has recorded them in Called to the Mountain as an
honor to her family.
From photographs to book cover…
Photograph by Bonita Swanger
Cover photography design by
Andrew Pitts Photography
Cover design Brian Thigpen
Photography by Troup’s
Studio, Toccoa, Georgia
From photographs to watercolor to presentation at the 2002 Singing on the Mountain to
back cover of the book:
Major Jean Frese brought the gospel to hidden valleys throughout the
Smoky Mountains.
Artist Bonita Swanger used the two
photographs to design the
watercolor portrait of Major Jean.
In 2002 the 66
th
Annual
Salvation Army’s Singing on
the Mountain was dedicated to
Major Jean Frese, for her love
and service to the mountains.
The North Carolina Society of Historians
2014 President’s Award
This award is presented to a person, group or project which is deemed the president’s personal choice
of all the awards presented in 2014, and after the winning entry has received recognition from our
judges by unanimous decision.
I learned a great deal from reading this book and a new light was ignited inside of me that made me
realize that, even though times get rough, my faith will carry me through. Times were rough for this
special lady, Major Jean Frese, but she fought back with her entire being and had me cheering for her as
she overcame many obstacles…much greater than any I have yet suffered…and she emerged a better
person. I love to help people, and this was her calling. I love the Lord and my faith is dear to me…she
does, too, and her faith is reflected in everything she has done and continues to do.
I have always supported the Salvation Army in any way I was able to. I have read a lot about their
programs, but I have never actually become ‘close’ to a member of the group…until now. Reading
Called to the Mountains: The Story of Jean L. Frese by Gretchen Griffith, touched my heart right up to
the end….
Jean’s last words in this book are, “Thank you Lord for bringing me to the mountains.” My last words
are, “Thank you Lord for bringing us Jean Frese and allowing her to touch so many lives, more than
she would ever imagine; and thank you for gifting Gretchen Griffith with such talent that she can
chronicle Major Frese’s life story to this grateful reader.”
Elizabeth Sherrill, President, The North Carolina Society of Historians
http://www.ncsocietyofhistorians.org/2014_Winners.php
The North Carolina Society of Historians
2014 Ethel W. Twiford Religious History Award
Judges’ Collective Comments:
This book chronicles the amazing life of a simple woman, who through trials
and tribulations, faith and strength, gave as much as she was given. Ms. Frese
is real. She is a person the reader can identify with. There is no pretense
involved, only the blunt truth. It is the story of a woman of tremendously
strong character with a desire to become more, often settling for what life
dealt, but making the most of every situation. Her realization that God was
with her, protecting her, offering her opportunities to go forward in the right
direction, was refreshing. Ms. Frese had no doubt as to what she had been put
on this earth for – to glorify God. Frese’s connection to the Salvation Army in
North Carolina was enlightening. We have always been aware of the
“soldiers’” presence; however, we have not taken any in-depth looks into the
movement itself.
Gretchen Griffith has written the story as told to her by Jean L. Frese, and she
has used Ms. Frese’s own style and dialect. After reading the book, we felt as
if we had known her and shared her ups as well as her downs. While this
book is about the life of Ms. Frese, it draws in a great deal of North Carolina
Smoky history – mountain history; and we are really glad it did. Because of
Ms. Frese’s living and working there in the ‘mountain mission,’ we got to
know her as well as her beloved mountains. This opened up a lot of doors for
us and we were able to learn a lot more than we knew.
http://www.ncsocietyofhistorians.org/