Tell us about your family and your accomplishments.

• I have tried to live a good Christian life, be a testimony to others and non-critical of others.
• I was born and raised on a farm in Sand Mountain, AL with two brothers and two sisters.
• I worked hard picking corn and chopping cotton.  I remember hooking a bucket with “sodie” (fertilizer) to my waist & throwing it on the crops.  I also picked cotton and pulled the fodder off the corn. I believe “work doesn’t hurt anybody, it’s good for you”.
• I married when I was 20 years old and we continued to farm until I was 26 years old.   Then my husband and I moved to Trion, GA and we continued to make our home in the area.  I still live in our last house about one mile from the Center.
• We had one daughter, Janet (Smith) Colbert.
• I worked at Riegel Cotton Mill for 5 years until Janet was born.  Then I worked at Summerville Cotton Mill for 25 years and Georgia Rug Mill (now Mohawk) for 7 years until retirement.
• I am very grateful to God for my continued good health.  The only real health problem I have had was a lung problem last spring.  Until then, I didn’t take any medications, now I have some, but I’m still healthy.
• Because of the drought this was the first year that I haven’t had a big garden and able to work with my flowers.  I really enjoy working outside and growing vegetables & flowers. I’m planning to have a garden this year.  I love gardening, it is my hobby.  I raise beans, okra, corn, cucumbers, squash, peppers, tomatoes.
• I do it all myself—I till it, hoe it, plant it and work it with the hoe to keep the weeds out.  Of course I water it, too.  I just like to go to the garden and pick my vegetables.  I do most of my eating at home, my vegetables.  I don’t go to fast foods much.  I do eat healthy—an apple almost everyday, milk three times a day and brown bread (not white)
• I still drive my car just about anywhere I need to go and am thankful for that.  God has blessed me so much all through the years.

Do you visit a senior center?

Yes. Chattooga/Summerville

Over 23 years.

What made you start going to the center?

I have met so many good folks.  They are like my extended family.  Many that were going to the Center when I started have either passed away, are in the nursing home or home-bound.

What kinds of activities do you enjoy at the center?

I used to be more active at the Center, but now I enjoy playing bingo and just being with everyone.  I exercise at the Center and participate in the programs.  Sometimes we go on trips.

How has the center helped you Age Well and Live Well?

Another hobby is exercise.  I used to walk 3 miles everyday.  Now I do the exercises at the Center.  The fellowship is good for everyone.

I  bring flowers for the Center and give to different people.

What advice would you give to young people today on how to live a good long life?

My advice to young people would be always obey your parents without question.  The Bible says “obey your parents that your days will be long on this earth.”  I firmly believe that verse and I obeyed my parents, always... I believe that has contributed to my long life.  Get right with the Lord at a young age and live for Him.  Eat lots of vegetables and fruits and not so much fast food.