Catherine Grace is a restless teenager raised by her preacher father in the small town of Ringgold, Georgia. Frustrated by the strict religious expectations of her community and grieving the childhood loss of her mother, she spends her time devising ways to fund her escape to Atlanta. She starts a strawberry jam business to earn money, an effort that demonstrates her independence and drive to break free from local conventions.

Marshall is the devoted preacher of Cedar Grove Baptist Church, continuing a three-generation family legacy. He raises his two daughters as a single father following his wife's tragic drowning. He strictly enforces the community's moral standards and views Ringgold as a safe haven, making it difficult for him to understand his eldest daughter's desire to leave.

Martha Ann is Catherine Grace's younger sister and constant companion in their youth. Having been only four when their mother died, she lacks Catherine's sharp memories of the tragedy and possesses a gentler, accepting nature. She is generally content with life in Ringgold and serves as a grounding presence in the Cline household.

Gloria Jean is the Clines' eccentric neighbor and a five-time divorcée who ignores Ringgold's conservative social norms. With her colorful makeup and unapologetic independence, she serves as an alternative role model for Catherine Grace. She encourages the teenager's ambitions, suggests the jam business idea, and shares cherished memories of Lena Mae.

Hank is widely considered Ringgold's ideal young man. He is handsome, devout, and the heir to a successful local dairy farm. Deeply rooted in the community, he plans to stay in his hometown and work the land, presenting a direct contrast to Catherine Grace's determination to leave the area.

Lena Mae is Catherine Grace and Martha Ann's mother, who tragically drowned in Chickamauga Creek when Catherine was six. The town remembers her for her beautiful singing voice and unfulfilled dreams of moving to Nashville. Her memory serves as both a profound source of grief for her family and a cautionary tale about the cost of living in a small town.

Miss Raines is a dedicated Sunday school teacher who represents the conventional piety of the Cedar Grove congregation. She is a respected presence in the community and a regular guest at the Cline household for Sunday lunches. Her frequent visits occasionally spark Catherine Grace's worry about her father replacing her mother.

Ida Belle is a pillar of the Cedar Grove Baptist Church community, constantly wearing an apron and known for cooking meals for the congregation. She embodies the nurturing, practical care of the local women, consistently providing stability to families during times of crisis.

Roberta Huckstep is a rigid member of the Cedar Grove congregation who enforces social hierarchies. She embodies the cliquish aspects of Ringgold society, frequently gossiping about her neighbors and ensuring her family maintains a status of superiority during church functions.

Emma Sue is Roberta Huckstep's spoiled granddaughter and a constant irritant to the Cline sisters. Adhering strictly to the idealized model of a proper Southern girl, she receives preferential treatment at church events and frequently clashes with Catherine Grace.

Lolly is Catherine Grace's best friend and companion during their adolescence in Ringgold. She provides a listening ear for Catherine Grace's frustrations regarding her father and the town, sharing in the typical teenage experiences of their community.

Eddie owns and operates the Ringgold Dairy Queen, the secular spot where the local youth spend their free time. He observes the town's dynamics from behind the counter of his restaurant and occasionally offers blunt observations to his regular customers.

Mrs. Gulbenk is the high school home economics teacher who instructs the local girls on proper domestic duties. She reinforces the town's traditional gender roles, preaching the importance of being a good wife and keeping a well-stocked kitchen.