“It doesn’t come naturally,” admits Kaye Jones, Anadarko resident and longtime supporter of Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief. “Generosity is not something we are born with; it is something you have to experience, and once you do, you see there is a need — and God provides.”

At 79 and 80 years old, Kaye and her husband, Gene, have given generously of their resources and have ministered to disaster survivors, special needs families and their community for over 50 years. That sense of generosity drives everything they do, from providing meals to hurricane victims to donating money to disaster relief efforts. The couple channels much of their financial generosity through two giving solutions: a charitable gift annuity and a charitable remainder trust, both created through WatersEdge. For Kaye, these solutions offered security, increased tax benefits and the capacity to give even more.

She and Gene also encourage people to donate their time. Even though he is no longer active in the field, as one of the founders of Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief, Gene continues to contribute in other ways.

“I know with disaster relief, any Baptist layman can find a need to fill,” Gene says. “If we are willing to go, if we are willing to be used for His good, He will provide.”

Generosity creates generosity, and Kaye hopes her actions inspire others. “For us, we just always needed to serve,” she says. “If you wait until you can afford to tithe or give,” Gene adds, “then it is already too late.”

“Do what you can, when you can, with what you have at that moment,” Kaye says. “Give back, give back, give back.”