The Founding and Early Years of the Life Center

The Laurel County Life Center was founded by Shelia Tackett in 1995. God gave her a passion for the unborn after she heard a presentation about abortion from a speaker from another crisis pregnancy center. She was horrified that millions of innocent babies were being violently murdered every day. Shelia prayed for guidance and asked the Lord to show her what she could do to make a difference in these babies’ lives and the Lord prompted her to open a crisis pregnancy center here in London.

She asked her pastor and local business owners for help with funding, which people were eager to do. Shelia and her husband donated the space for the Center and worked tirelessly to remodel it and make it feel warm and inviting for the women who would come in. They also donated furniture and artwork, some of which is still hanging in our waiting room today.

She faced some opposition from pro-choice business owners who refused to help in her fundraising efforts. Nevertheless, the Lord gave her strength and encouragement and reminded her of why she was taking on this monumental project: to help save lives.

We are so grateful that Shelia was obedient to the Lord and took on the task of opening a Crisis Pregnancy center here in London.

In 1997 Vicky Filiatreau took over as director. She was volunteering at the center at the time and wasn’t looking for employment but as she was praying in church one Sunday, the Lord revealed to her that the Life Center was where she belonged. She was the director until 2010 when she retired. When asked about her time as director,

Vicky shared that the ministry was life-changing and life-saving for so many people, even herself and the volunteers who worked with her.

She said, “It is astonishing how the Lord binds your hearts together...it was nurturing for the volunteers and for me.”

If Shelia and Vicky had not allowed the Lord to lead them the Life Center would not be what it is today. It is because of their passion, conviction and determination that we continue to serve the families in our community 30 years later. The Lord used them to build a solid foundation of love that is still strong today. “Many saved by the gracious intervention of the Laurel County Life Center are at an age now to where they have had children of their own as well; other lives (children of the children saved from abortion) also given the gift of life because the Laurel County Life Center and the blessings of Life goes on and on, throughout the generations to come,” concludes Shelia.

That is the Life Center legacy.