By Staff
Senior Living
(This week The Atmore Advance spotlights 78-year-old Ruth Bryars of Atmore. During her free time, Bryars enjoys riding motorcycles driven by friends.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I am from Americus, Ga. and was born on October 30, 1928. That makes me 78 years old.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: My parents were D.P. and Winnie Watts. They were also from Americus, Ga.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: I have two deceased brothers. Their names were Jesse Watts and William Watts. I have one deceased sister and her name was Mary Garner. I have two living sisters who are Sarah Cheek and Lorraine Simpson. Both are in Georgia, one in Americus and one in Savannah.
Q: Do you see your sisters often?
A: Yes, fortunately I still drive and they do too so we often visit. We even take trips together sometimes.
Q: What was your last trip with your sisters?
A: It was in 2004 to Branson, Mo. We spent a week up there and enjoyed everything, just the three of us.
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: I used to. Now I don't travel as much as I did when I first retired. I'd go on bus trips to Canada, Alaska and even went on cruises.
Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
A: The mountains – any mountains: Tennessee, Blue Ridge Parkway, The Smoky Mountains, I just love the mountains.
Q: Where did you attend high school and college?
A: I graduated high school in Newman, Ga. in 1945. I have no college background.
Q: What jobs have you held?
A: I worked at Vanity Fair in Atmore for six and a half years. I left there in 1961 and went to Monsanto. That's Solutia now. I worked there 25 years. I retired from there in 1985. I enjoyed being at home after retirement; I did a lot of traveling with my husband. Now
I volunteer at Atmore Community Hospital, I've been doing that for about 10 years. I work in the gift shop and at the information desk there.
Q: Did you ever marry?
A: Yes, I married twice. My first husband was Robert Hadley. I had three children with him. We only lived together for 15 years before divorcing. I married Ellis Bryars in 1964. We lived together for 32 years before he passed away. He passed away in February 1996.
Q: Do you have any children or grandchildren?
A: I have three children. Joyce Rogers, who lives in Covington, Ga. My oldest son is Bobby Hadley, who lives in Robinsonville. And Johnny Hadley, he's the youngest; he works off shore in Lafayette, La. He has a mobile home here but doesn't stay much.
Q: Do you get to see your children often?
A: I don't get to see Johnny as much as the older ones but he comes home often. We stay in contact over the phone, I guarantee that.
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: Oak Grove Church of Christ in Oak Grove, Fla.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: The hospital and the church. We do a lot of things in church. We have a ladies Bible class once a month. There is also a home Bible class that is once a week. I like to go to Pensacola to shop or to eat out. I enjoy socializing at the SAIL Center.
I even like to ride motorcycles with someone else. I don't drive them, I just enjoy riding.
Q: What's your favorite television show?
A: My favorite weekly show is "House". I love the RFD channel. They have music and a lot of good shows about horses and cattle, it's a country show.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: I like good country cooking, like vegetables, chicken and steak. I love to cook when I have somebody to cook for.
Q: What is the most interesting thing about yourself?
A: After I retired I took lessons in Brewton at the college to learn how to smock. I made a lot of things for my granddaughter. I love to crochet, I don't do it as much as I used to but I do love it.
Q: What advice would like to give people on staying healthy?
A: I would say to stay active. Keep your mind active and occupied. To do outside things, I don't like to just sit.
(If you would like to recommend a senior to be spotlighted please contact Adrienne McKenzie at 368-2123 or e-mail her at lifestyles@atmoreadvance.com)