By Staff
Senior Living
(This week The Atmore Advance spotlights Rose B. Ballard. Ballard enjoys attending Sunday school every week at Second Mt. Triumph Baptist Church in Atmore. She said when she was younger, she would go to Sunday school barefoot in clothes her mother made her. She walked three miles just to make it to the church.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born on July 20, I won't tell you my age though.
I was born in Monroe County way back in the woods close to Conecuh County.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: Minnie May Benson from Butler County.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: There were 13 children raised together. Nine girls and four boys, three are still living. I had seven real sisters and one adopted sister, three real brothers and one adopted brother.
Q: Where did you attend high school and college?
A: I went to high school in Conecuh County for a little while, through the eighth grade. Then I got married in Mobile County at the City Hall. I married in 1943.
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: Not now because I don't like to drive by myself. I used to though. I'd go to Mobile and Birmingham. I've been to Michigan once and to California two or three times. I have traveled to Montgomery a lot.
Q: What jobs have you held?
A: A lot of jobs. I used to work for Dr. Ben Maxwell.
I have had a lot of jobs sitting with people. I had a job working with a lady who had a stroke and got put in the hospital in Mobile. Then she passed away. She was really a sweet lady, one of the best jobs I've ever had and it was the last job I ever had.
Q: Did you ever marry?
A: Yes, Wilmer Ballard Sr. He passed away in 1989.
Q: Do you have any children or grandchildren?
A: I had eight boys and two girls. My oldest grandchild lives in Jacksonville, Fla. and she's got four kids. I have three grandchildren in California. I have a lot of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: Second Mt. Triumph Baptist Church.
I attend Sunday school every Sunday.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: Coming to the SAIL center and keeping up my house. Going to Sunday school and church. I'd like to have a sitting job. I love sitting with people. I own my home and live by myself in Atmore.
Q: What's your favorite TV show?
A: My favorites are the news and I love the show about Raymond at night if I see it on.
Q: What's your favorite thing to do?
A: Coming to the SAIL center. I have a lot of friends here. I try to make friends with everybody.
I like to go to church, Sunday school.
Before, when I was 12 years old if I had no shoes to wear I'd go barefoot. I grew up in a big family and my mom made our clothes, I'd have dresses and things. I'd have to go barefoot to Sunday school and walk three miles to get there until we moved into town.
Q: What advice would you like to give people on staying healthy?
A: Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, juices, milk, things like that.
(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)