By By Adrienne McKenzie
(This week The Atmore Advance spotlights Grady Slay of Atmore. Slay is 73 years old.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Tensaw, it’s a community, it’s not even a town. I was born on Nov. 22, 1934.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: Mattie Slay and Leslie Slay, both are deceased.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: One sister, Geneva Wearren. She has just recently moved to Oklahoma, and I don’t get to see her much.
Q: Where did you attend high school?
A: I had very little high school. I went to Murphy High School in Bayou LaBatre. I never finished.
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: I don’t attend.
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: I used to when I was in the Air Force. Now when I take a vacation it’s to Pennsylvania, North Carolina or Georgia.
Q: What did you do in the Air Force?
A: I got to fly a lot. When they needed a crew member I went. I saw a lot of the world that way on someone else’s expense. I was on aircraft maintenance. I served for 20 years and six months.
Q: Did you enjoy it?
A: Oh yes, I wish I would have never gotten out.
Q: Do you still talk to people that you served with?
A: I still talk to one that was in the Air Force with me. The guy I visit in Georgia was a civilian, he’s retired now.
Q: What jobs have you held?
A: When I came home I worked with Custom Drainage for two years. I went to trade school for three years in Evergreen, I worked at the hospital as building maintenance for 18 years, here in Atmore, stayed home for a couple of years, and then started working here at the Atmore SAIL Center.
Q: How long have you lived in Atmore?
A: I came back here to Atmore in ‘76.
Q: Did you ever marry?
A: I married twice. I am married now to Mary K. Slay.
Q: Do you have any children or grandchildren?
A: Mary has three children, they are stepchildren for me. I don’t have any of my own. The two that live in Florida I see often, the one in North Carolina I see about once a year maybe.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: Fooling around with my property and watching TV, sports, movies.
Q: What’s your favorite television show?
A: Wrestling and the news, I watch the news a lot.
Q: Who is your favorite wrestler?
A: I don’t have a favorite, I know it’s fake but I enjoy watching it.
Q: What advice would you like to give people on staying healthy?
A: Keep busy, active, and you don’t need to know the other reasons. Just to stay 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)