Deandrea Cox, Our Wednesday Night Bingo Queen

During the week, Deandrea Cox gets off work at 5:30 and drives about 45 minutes from her downtown Atlanta job to her home in the lofty suburbs of Gwinnett County. Wednesday nights however, is "Bingo Night" and rain or shine, she is stocked with candy and armed with smiles to entertain the residents of Laurel Grove with Bingo games.

There are nearly 40 residents in the activity room and she knows everyone by name. If she has never met you before, she will write your name down and commit your face to memory on the spot. In fact, one of the reasons residents like her so much is because even though she is here only once a week, she takes the time to learn people by name. Majorie Narey says; "She is so organized. She knows all of our names and it's nice to be called by your name. She speaks clearly."

Like a Bingo caller professional, she starts her games by staying "Bingo Ready?" It is said that she will not start calling numbers until everyone is focused and ready. "She's wonderful!" says Anne Weisburg who says the Bingo crowd can sometimes be rowdy. "No one can shut this crowd up --but she does. Deandrea is the only one I've seen that can keep people quiet."

Dorothy Smith enjoys her cheerful demeanor. "She makes it a fun experience. She has a good voice --very clear."

"I love her!" says Ellie Peterson. She tries to please everybody --and that's pretty much impossible. She is very thorough."

"She is such a good person. She has sympathy for everybody. When she walked in the first day we felt she was part of this home." says Marguarite Goldsmith.

Rita McMahon is a newcomer to the Wednesday night bingo. "I came for the first time last week. Deandrea was so patient and lively with a wonderful disposition. She really pays attention." Rita says.