Jeanne Robertson discovered she had a sense of humor that people couldn't get enough of when she was a rising junior in college.
"I don't even think I was the funniest person in school," she said about her growing up days.
But in 1963, when she won the Miss North Carolina Pageant, she began making speeches around the country — and people laughed.
"I was funny," she said. "So because of that, I dropped out of college."
That started the 69-year-old's successful speaking career, although she did go back and finish college.
On Sept. 13, Robertson will be bringing her humor to Kinston starting at 7:30 p.m. for the Lenoir Memorial Hospital volunteers' 60th anniversary fundraising event.
The volunteers have partnered with the Lenoir Memorial Hospital Foundation to raise money for the cardiology lab's new equipment.
Volunteers Director Ann Durusky said she was looking for a unique idea for a fundraiser to fulfill a hospital need.
"Recently, I heard (Robertson) in Wayne County," she said, "and she was hysterical. People want to have a good time and laugh."
So she asked the Foundation how the event could benefit the hospital.
LMH had recently completed its $2 million cardiology lab, including a $400,000 cardiac imaging and information management system. The equipment will be used for a new procedure for catheterizations in the near future, Foundation Director Dirk Griffith said.
"I saw this as an opportunity to raise money for a cause," Griffith said about the fundraiser.
The proceeds from the event will help recoup the money spent on the new equipment, he said.
The partnership between the volunteers and the Foundation is a first.
"I love the fact that we're working together," Griffith said. "It's the first time we've actually worked together on a project. I hope we do it again."
At least 65 percent of the tickets for the 640 seats have been sold. Durusky said she's hoping for a full house. Tickets are $25 each.
"We wanted people who wanted to see (Robertson) to be able to afford it," she said.
Robertson doesn't consider herself a comedian. She doesn't tell jokes; she tells stories — humorous ones. In fact, she's written books on the difference between a comedian and a humorist — which is what she considers herself.
Her website describes her as "a professional speaker who specializes in hilarious humor based on her life experiences."
"I weave a story," Robertson said, "that everybody in the audience is familiar with and can identify with."
And she means everyone.
"I like to say," she said, "you can bring your momma and bring your teenagers."
Last week, her show on YouTube received 18 million hits, Robertson said.
She noted — tongue in cheek — what might have been the reason for her success as a public speaker during her year as a pageant winner.
"That year, I was unusually tall," she said. "I'm 6-foot-2."
Today, Robertson is still 6-foot, 2-inches tall — and a polished national speaker who doesn't stop writing new material.
"I think people will want to hear things they haven't heard or seen on YouTube," she said.
She's written books and monthly columns, as well as produced CDs and DVDs.
For about 22 days a month, Robertson's on the road — writing — in between shows. There's always a point, or a lesson, from her stories.
"Funny things happen all around us," she said.
Robertson just happens to get them down on paper.
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
Breakout box:
What: LMH Volunteers 60th anniversary fundraiser
Who: Humorist Jeanne Robertson
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 13
Where: Waller Auditorium, Lenoir Community College
Tickets: $25, Volunteer office, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday-Friday, 252-522-7248
Catch a preview:jeannerobertson.com, YouTube or SiriusXM radio