By Staff
Senior Living
(This week The Atmore Advance spotlights 58-year-old Mary Jane McGhee of Poarch. McGhee has gone on many trips with the senior citizens at the Poarch SAIL Center and her favorite vacation spot was Nashville, Tenn. She plans on making a special trip to New York City this year with her SAIL Center friends. She has spent several years working in the sewing business and continues that trend, sewing quilts at the center.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born May 17, 1948 in Atmore.
I'll be 59 tomorrow.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: Robert Rolin and Lillie Mae Rolin. Both are deceased.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: I have four sisters and no brothers. The oldest is Lillie Bell Tucker who lives in Atmore. Then there is me. Then there is Willie Faye Thomas who lives in Poarch. Then there are the twins, Thelma Williamson, who lives in Mineola, and Velma Hollingsworth who lives in Poarch.
All of them work with the Tribe.
Q: Where did you attend high school and college?
A: I went to Poarch Indian school until I was in the sixth grade. I went to Atmore up until the 11th grade.
I got my GED in 1996 with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. I took my test at Jeff Davis though. I had to do math, science, English and history. I wasn't specialized in anything.
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: Oh yes! I have been to Wisconsin, Texas, Canada, Oklahoma, Washington D.C., Albuquerque, N.M., Saint Augustine, Fla., Nashville, Tenn., Cherokee, N.C., Bismarck, N.D. and I am hopefully planning on going to New York this year. I go with the Tribe everywhere, all the seniors go that are able.
Q: Where was your favorite place to visit?
A: Nashville, Tenn.
Q: What jobs have you held?
A: I went to work at a sewing factory when I was 16 years old, Frisco City Manufacturing. We made denim pants that ladies used to wear with the zipper on the side.
I worked at Starter in Century, Fla., making football and baseball jackets.
All I've ever done was sew.
Q: When did you retire?
A: I didn't retire, I quit. My husband had a stroke and I stayed home to tend to him in 1995. He died on Father's Day June of 2004.
Q: What was your husband's name?
A: William Raymond McGhee, he worked in the woods, logging.
Q: Do you have any children or grandchildren?
A: I have a stepdaughter, Diedra Verine Ward in Alabaster. She has two children. The baby is William Alexandra, she named him after her daddy. And the other one is Patrick Ward.
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: I attend United Pentecostal Church in Atmore.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: Going to the SAIL Center, quilting and running errands for my sister, Thelma.
My hobby is quilting, I made a pretty Elvis Presley quilt last weekend while I was sitting around the house.
Q: What's your favorite TV show?
A: "Deal or No Deal."
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: I like all of it. The only thing I don't care for are collards.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: "Facing the Giants," I love that movie.
Q: What advice would you like to give people on staying healthy?
A: To keep active.
(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)