By Staff
(This week The Atmore Advance visited with 80-year-old Dottie Albert at the First United Methodist Church while she played Canasta with friends.)
Q: When were you born?
A: March 13, 1928.
Q: Where are you from?
A: Carlisle, Penn.
Q: How did you end up in Atmore?
A: My husband, J.R. Nicholson, was transferred here as plant manager of Masland.
Q: Do you have any children?
A: I have two children, Mary Ann Wingard and Mark Alan Nicholson.
Q: Do you have any grandchildren?
A: I have three grandchildren, Dina Marie LaBombard, Joseph Wingard and A.J. Nicholson.
I have one great grandchild, Kathryn Nichole LaBombard.
Q: What was it like moving from up North to the South?
A: It was not easy. It was quite a change. The children were teenagers. That was 1973 and my husband died in 1975.
Q: Do you feel like a Southerner now?
A: Heavens yes! but no one else feels that way!
Q: What did you like best about moving to the South?
A: The people. They were friendlier and accepted me when I was a yankee. When my husband died, it was like they couldn’t do enough for me.
The company wanted to move me back up North, but John Garrard came after me to work at the bank.
Q: What was your job at the bank ?
A: I was a loan teller until 1993. I started working there in 1976.
Q: When did you remarry?
A: I married my second husband in 1983.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: I am now active in Atmore Area Christian Care Ministry, I volunteer at the nursing home every Tuesday fixing hair, I am a member of the Jubilee singers at First Baptist Church, I work at Atmore Community Hospital and I’m a member of First United Methodist Church.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I like to read. I play cards and dominoes too.
Q: Have you traveled much?
A: No, not really. I’ve been to Las Vegas, Niagara Falls and New York City. I am not a traveler. I’m satisfied and content living a quiet life.
Q: What kind of books do you like to read?
A: John Grisham, James Patterson and mysteries are probably my favorite.
Q: What is a historical moment from your lifetime that you remember most vividly?
A: World War II was a very vivid time and still is. The Korean War, too.
Q: What has been one of the proudest moments of your life?
A: I survived (colon) cancer twice. The last time in 2007. Dr. Patisil did my surgery.
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: My church, my friends, my ability to drive. I have many friends, and I love everyone of them. I love life.
Q: What in particular about your church?
A: My faith and the people at the church. They are like family to me.
Q: Is there anything you miss about the North?
A: Not a thing!
(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).