“When I was quite young, my paternal grandfather was already in his 80s. He died when I was 10. He had immigrated to the United States from Greece by way of Turkey. He’d seen horrible things. Sweet man. He’d been through tons of things, but there was a kind side to him that he shared with us as kids that showed, no matter what you went through, you could have a good life and be at peace.” – Andrew Gerachis of Pike Road.

Andrew Gerachis enjoys living in Alabama and the people here. (Amber Sutton / People of Alabama)

Gerachis moved to Alabama from Virginia after meeting the woman who would become his wife, Cathy, during a trip to Seattle in 1999. Gerachis works in real estate and said his transition to life in Alabama was made easy thanks to the people he has met throughout his time here.

“The people are wonderful. That’s probably the biggest single thing. Alabama has some of the most hardworking, unassuming, generous, community-minded people I’ve ever met.”

These are the faces and stories of people from all walks of life who call Alabama home. People of Alabama is a Red Clay Media and Alabama NewsCenter partnership.