Keeping People Happy: The Heart of St. Paul Trinity

Anthony Fulton believes he has a purpose. That purpose: Keep people happy. 

On paper, Anthony handles the maintenance of Graceworks’ St. Paul Trinity community, but ask the people who live there, and everyone acknowledges it’s so much more than that. Maysville, KY is a small town. Everybody knows everybody. So when people move into the apartment community at St. Paul Trinity, Anthony says it’s likely he already knows them. 

“The last guy who moved in here used to sell me plumbing supplies when I was young and just getting my start,” he said. “My wife worked with his daughter. It’s a small town.”

Anthony was raised milking cows and learning how to do a little of everything. But more importantly, he says, he was raised with respect. He was raised to treat his elders especially with respect, dignity and care. So, keeping them happy at St. Paul Trinity is just a part of his mission on Earth, the way he sees it. 

“Sometimes, it’s just a lightbulb that needs fixing, but it really does make them smile to know someone is here who cares. I’m not really special,” Anthony shared. “I think I was just put down here to do this kind of stuff.” 

Anyone who knows and interacts with Anthony knows that’s not the case.And after 30 years of working with this community, it wouldn’t be the same without him. 

“I have known Anthony since 2007 when I was a Service Coordinator at St. Paul,” said site manager Deborah Schwallie. “His knowledge of maintenance is crazy. There isn't anything he can't do–from laying flooring to installing cabinets and countertops. He turns an outdated apartment into something beautiful. And the community loves him. He is always smiling and joking with them, because he genuinely cares for them all.”

To Anthony, Faithful Caring means going the extra mile to keep people comfortable in their homes. Sometimes, that’s a water line. Sometimes, it’s a conversation.

“They’ll sit and talk to you all day,” Anthony tells of the community members. “It’s just normal, everyday stuff. I really am just trying to make them happy, but I just go around and visit and make sure everything is working; and when it’s not, I go and fix it, and it tickles them to death.”

Though he turns 65 in November, he has no plans whatsoever that include retirement. 

“To me,” Anthony said, “being here would be a lot better than retiring. I would just miss it too much to even think about that.”