By Staff
Norton sews, socializes for entertainment
By Adrienne McKenzie
(This week The Atmore Advance spotlights 93-year-old Ethel Norton. Norton stays active in different community clubs and also by sewing and crafts work.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in McCullough in 1914 on Nov. 1.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: Bryant Smith and Lillie Hall.
Q: Where were they from?
A: McCullough.
Q: Have you lived in the Atmore/McCullough area your entire life?
A: I lived in the McCullough area during my young life, but after I married, I lived other places.
Q: When did you move back?
A: I moved back here in ‘55.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: There were four of us, three girls and one boy and they are all gone.
Q: Where did you attend high school and college?
A: I went to McCullough through the 10th grade and then I got married.
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: Not now, but I did.
Q: Where all have you traveled?
A: I’ve been to Nashville, Tenn., Missouri, Pennsylvania, Arizona and I’ve made about three trips to California.
Q: Where all have you lived during your lifetime?
A: I lived in New York, Ohio, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Q: Where was your favorite place to live?
A: This was always home. I enjoyed visiting all of them though.
I lived in New York for about a year all together and enjoyed it, but that was as long as I wanted to live there.
Q: Where was your favorite place to visit?
A: I enjoyed the trip to Missouri. That was just the best trip.
Q: What jobs have you held?
A: My first job was a sitting job in Pensacola at Sears. I was a recording secretary for seven and a half years for the furniture department.
I worked at Moore’s and at Fashion Fabrics and then I had my own little sewing shop.
I’ve sewn all my life, ever since I was 18 years old. I’m still sewing and doing crafts.
Q: Who did you marry?
A: Jesse Norton.
Q: Where was he from?
A: The McCullough area.
Q: Did you two go to school together?
A: No, we met because he lived in the same community.
Q: Do you have any children?
A: Two, James and Iris.
Q: Where do they live?
A: James lives in Atmore and Iris lives in Gulf Breeze, Fla.
Q: Do you have any grandchildren?
A: Nine.
Q: Do you have any great grandchildren?
A: 11.
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: First Baptist Church in Atmore.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: I cook for myself and keep house myself.
I go to club meetings; Joyriders, McCullough Friendship Club, Atmore Homemakers Club. I play Bingo at the church and I still sew.
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
A: I keep it on house/garden TV. And I like to see a good, clean movie and I watch some game shows. But mostly I watch house and gardening. If I had lived in this day of time I’d have been in decorating.
Q: What advice would you like to give people on staying healthy?
A: Eat right and live a clean life and always put God first in your heart.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share?
A: I have one good friend here at Point Escambia, Mary, and she checks on me everyday. She’s gonna see that I’m alright before she goes to bed. She is a really good friend.
(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)