By Staff
Senior Living
(This week The Atmore Advance spotlights 64- year-old Joe Overstreet. Overstreet has visited many places across the United States including San Francisco, the Hoover Dam and Jackson Hole.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Robersonville on Aug. 23, 1943.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: Rosa and Willard Overstreet. My daddy was from Jackson and my mother was from Escambia County, Ala.
My grandfather fought in the Civil Ward, he was captured in the wilderness and stayed in the prison in New York until the war was over.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: Yes, I have seven half brothers and sisters and seven brothers and sisters. They had to have a lot of kids back then to help pick the cotton since there weren't any cotton pickers then.
Q: Where did you attend high school and college?
A: In Atmore.
Q: Did you go into the military?
A: No, I tried to get in, but I had heart problems.
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: Yes.
Q: Where all have you been?
A: Oregon, San Francisco, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam and Jackson Hole in Wyoming. For the last three or four years I've traveled all over the country with my wife, brother and sister. Our kids are gone now so now we can do things like that.
Q: What was your favorite place to visit?
A: That's a hard question. Yellowstone was beautiful, the Grand Canyon was beautiful and the Hoover Dam was beautiful. I guess Yellowstone was my favorite, but it's hard to pick.
Q: What jobs have you held?
A: I had a civil engineer job on the Mississippi River. And, I've been a carpenter all over the country, we built fertilizer plants all over.
I used to build houses, I built my own house.
I had a heart attack in '95 and had to quit everything. I hated to because I like to work.
Q: Did you ever marry?
A: Yes, I'm married to Linda.
Q: Where is she from?
A: Bay Minette.
Q: Do you have any children or grandchildren?
A: Three kids, Michael, Michelle and Joey. All three live in Atmore and I'm glad they do.
I have three grandkids; Michelle has Dillon, 15, and Kassie, 11. Joey and his wife just had a baby girl named Taylor.
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: Brooks Memorial. I go every Sunday if I'm able.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: Gardening. I'm not able to do as much anymore because my heart is so bad. I stay close to the house. I may have to quit gardening. I like to fish and hunt, but don't know if I'll be able to anymore.
I've been coming to the (Atmore) SAIL Center for about a month or two.
Q: What's your favorite TV show?
A: The History Channel. I like it because it's got anything on it and it's very educational.
Q: What advice would you like to give people on staying healthy?
A: Don't smoke, don't drink, exercise and work-it's good to work.
(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)