By Staff
Senior Living
(This week The Atmore Advance spotlights 86-year-old Vester Byrd who enjoys visiting the Poarch SAIL Center. He's gone on several trips with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribe and said his favorite place was Cherokee, N.C. He enjoys watching the Atlanta Braves on TV.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Excel on May 26, 1921.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: Jepes Byrd from Brewton, Burnt Corn Creek area.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: I had some that are deceased. I have one that is living.
Q: What's the name of your sibling that is still living?
A: She's Velma Carver, she lives in Martinville Circle. I live about two or three miles from her. She likes to know what's going on.
Q: Where did you attend high school and college?
A: I went to McCullough. I didn't have any college, but I did work at the prison for 10 years.
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: No. I'm not able to anymore and gas is too high. Gas is out of sight. My daddy used to buy five gallons of gas for $1.
Q: Did you travel a lot in the past?
A: I used to travel a bit with the Tribe. We've been to Milwaukee, Wisc. and Cherokee, N.C.
Q: Where was your favorite place to visit?
A: My favorite place was Cherokee, N.C.
Q: What jobs have you held?
A: I farmed out near McCullough. I had crops like peas, butter beans and sweet corn.
I worked at the prison for 10 years. I was an officer.
Q: Which prison did you work at?
A: Fountain in Atmore.
Q: Did you ever marry?
A: Yes, to Sadie Byrd, she was a Whatley.
Q: How long have you two been married?
A: Thirty-seven years.
Q: Do you have any children or grandchildren?
A: I had three children, one is still living. That's Chester Byrd, he lives in Atmore. I have three grandkids, Doug, Michael and Angie and five great grandkids.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: Staying out of the heat. I have to stay out of it or I can't breathe.
Q: Do you come to the Poarch SAIL Center often?
A: We've been coming here for years, even when it was at the old SAIL. I like to shoot the breeze with these people. Sometimes friends are better than money.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: Come up here to the SAIL Center.
Q: What's your favorite TV show?
A: I watch the Atlanta Braves play baseball.
Q: What's your favorite movie?
A: "Lonesome Dove."
Q: What's your favorite food?
A: All of it's good but I like seafood.
Q: What's the most exciting thing you've ever done?
A: Go to Milwaukee, Wisc. We stayed in a motel and represented the Poarch Indians. We went to the big Olympics out there.
Q: What advice would you like to give people on staying healthy?
A: Stay off drugs and cigarettes.
(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)