By Staff
Carly James collects Christmas Village
By MaryClaire Foster
(This week The Atmore Advance visited with 89-year-old Carly James at her home.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Atmore on Sept. 25, 1919.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: Carney Lee Tenant and Lottie Ward Tenant. They farmed for a living. My dad butchered cows too.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: I have five sisters and three brothers.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I attended school in Atmore.
Q: Have you done a lot of traveling?
A: No, not much. We did used to go to Boatyard Lake, and I really enjoyed that.
Q: Where have you lived?
A: I’ve lived in Atmore my entire life.
Q: Did you ever marry? If so, what is your spouse’s name?
A: Yes. My husband was William Earle James.
Q: How did you and your spouse meet?
A: His sister went to my school and she introduced us. We went together about six or eight months and one night he said let’s go to Brewton and get married. Some of us were already going, and I said OK. We got married that night.
Q: Do you have any children?
A: I have two sons, William Earle James Jr. and Clifton Eugene James.
Q: Do you have any grandchildren?
A: I have five grandchildren, three great grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Q:Where do you attend church?
A: I go to Pine Level Primitive Baptist Church. I’ve been a member for 62 years.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: Cleaning up and keeping my house going.
Q: What do you like to watch on television?
A: I watch a lot of news. I like to know what’s going on. I’ll watch a soap opera here and there.
Q: Do you like to cook?
A: I love to cook. It relaxes me. If I’m upset I can start cooking and it makes everything better. It’s just like having company with you.
Q: What is your favorite thing to cook?
A: I like to cook vegetables and meats, but it doesn’t matter what it is, I like cooking and if I don’t like it, someone else always will.
Q: Do you have any holiday traditions?
A: My sister got me collecting my Christmas Village 16 years ago. My family and I go to a different house each Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Q. What was one of the happiest times in your life?
A: When I had my family, my husband and two sons.
Q: What advice would you give people on living a long life?
A: Don’t overeat and go to church. It helps everybody. It helps you and your fellow man when you go to church. I don’t know why the good Lord has kept me around for so long, but he has a reason for everything.
(If you would like to recommend a senior to be spotlighted please contact the Atmore Advance at 368-2123 or e-mail us at newsroom@atmoreadvance. com).