By Staff
Willena Godwin gardens for The Meadows
By Adrienne McKenzie
(This week The Atmore Advance spotlights 97-year-old Willena Godwin. Godwin resides at The Meadows in Atmore, where she enjoys gardening. When Godwin is not working with her plants, she loves to read.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born at Blue Mountain, Miss. on Dec. 11, 1910.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: My parents were Martha Elizabeth and Houston Godwin.
Q: What did your parents do for a living?
A: My father was a farmer and my mother didn’t work. She just worked hard at home all the time.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: I had two brothers.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I went to school at Blue Mountain High School and Blue Mountain College.
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: Quite a bit.
Q: Where have you traveled?
A: Canada and Mexico and most parts of the United States.
Q: Where did you work?
A: I taught 10 years in Mississippi. Then I taught 28 years at Ernest Ward High School.
Q: Where have you lived?
A: Just Mississippi and Atmore.
Q: What do you like most about Atmore?
A: The people, friends.
Q: Did you ever marry?
A: No.
Q: Do you have children?
A: No.
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: First Baptist Church. I’ve been a member there ever since about 1946.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: I’ve got all these plants on the back porch (at The Meadows). I’ve been doing that about two years, maybe more.
I’ve given away hundreds of flowers.
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
A: I don’t watch TV. If I ever look at the TV it’s weather or news. I read when I’m not working with my plants.
Q: What advice would you like to give people on staying healthy?
A: Eat right and take plenty of exercise and have a hobby, something that you love to do.
(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)