By Staff
Senior Living
(This week The Atmore Advance spotlights Goldie Morris, 83. Morris spends her spare time at the SAIL Center with her friends, at the secondhand store in Bay Minette that she works at and at home straightening and cooking. Her mother taught her at the age of 4 the methods behind cooking a good biscuit.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Burnsville, Miss. on Aug. 28, 1923.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: L.G. Forrester and Ella Forrester.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: I have three brothers living and one sister. I had five brothers and two sisters but I've lost three. I get to see them a couple to three times a year.
Q: Where did you attend high school and college?
A: I went to Lee High School in Columbus, Miss. Back then you didn't go to college, you got married and had babies or went to work, which I did.
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: Quite a bit. I go to Mississippi to see my family, my children and great grandchildren in North Carolina, son Allen Morris in Atlanta and daughter Sylvia Morgan who is here.
Q: What jobs have you held?
A: I worked in a bakery when I met my husband, that was in '45 and we married in '46. Then I've worked since we married and after our children got big enough. I worked in department stores, flower shops and at Vanity Fair for a little while, not long. I came here from Mobile in '52, my husband was with Alabama Power Company. We raised our children here and we moved to Monroeville. My husband got a job as a troubleshooter, lead linesman. We lived there 17 years. Our daughter moved back here and then we moved back here and this is where I'll stay. I haven't worked since I've been back here. Before we moved to Monroeville I worked for Bedsoles and West Brothers. I worked at KATZ in Monroeville and then at Bedsoles. Then my husband begged me to come home so I stayed at home and took care of everything there.
I loved sewing, my mother taught me when I was really small. When I was 4 years old I kept bugging her to let me make biscuits so I made my first biscuits. Of course I've improved since then.
Now I work at a secondhand store in Bay Minette. It's right down my alley, I love to sell stuff and I love people.
Q: Did you ever marry?
A: I married Grady E. Morris. We had 42 years together.
Q: Do you have any children or grandchildren?
A: Two kids, I had four grandkids but lost one at 27 years old. I have one granddaughter and two grandsons.
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: Brooks Memorial and we're having trouble.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: Visiting, singing in the senior choir, going to the SAIL center, washing and ironing and a little cooking. I love to keep house, I love to cook when I have somebody to cook for. I used to paint mountains, trees, lakes and streams. I gave away most of my paintings.
Q: What's your favorite TV show?
A: "Wheel of Fortune," "Jeopardy" and HGTV, that's my favorite really because I like painting and drawing.
Q: What advice would you like to give people on staying healthy?
A: Keep it clean, worship God and He'll take care of the rest.
(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)