This interview is a life story narrative focusing on the resilience, faith, and family support of an individual, highlighting their journey through marriage, motherhood, loss, and aging, with a strong emphasis on their spiritual beliefs as a source of strength.
Mind Map
Click to expand
Click to explore the full interactive mind map • Zoom, pan, and navigate
>> Before we begin, I want to let you know
that this interview is an assignment
from our social work program. With your
permission, I would like to audio record
our conversation so I can accurately
transcribe it for my class. The
recording and transcript will only be
used for this assignment and will only
be viewed by my professor. Your name
will not will not be included to protect
your privacy.
And uh just so you know, your
participation is completely voluntary.
If at any time you do not wish to answer
a question or would like to stop the
interview, that is perfectly okay.
Do you have any questions so far? >> No.
>> No.
>> No, not then.
>> Okay. And do I have permission to
continue with the interview and record?
>> You do.
>> Thank you so much.
>> All righty. Can you tell me a little bit
about your life story and some of the
biggest turning points in your life?
>> I grew up in a little town called
Artway, North Carolina. I
had pretty good childhood.
I got married at 16,
almost 17.
Had my first baby at 18.
was married for about
>> 49 years. >> Wow.
>> Wow.
>> I think he became a preacher
in about a fifth year I think it was
>> the works.
>> And from there he stayed a preacher
>> Oh. What uh kind of what denomination
did he preach?
>> I'm sorry. >> Holiness.
>> Holiness. >> Okay.
>> Okay.
Were there any moments that stood out to
you the most during your life?
we went from
I think we had about three or four churches
churches
>> in his lifetime
and uh our last one was where he um
How do you think these experiences
They gave me they gave me faith, strength,
strength,
and I don't believe I would have made it
if I hadn't had the Lord on my side.
>> And of course, my five girls and grandchildren.
grandchildren.
I think it's about 20ome of them. Oh wow.
wow.
>> Quite a few of them. >> They
>> They
>> But that sounds like a very fulfilling,
you know, family life.
>> It was
very many fun times.
>> Can you describe your family growing up
and what that experience was like for you?
you?
Well, my father
worked on a bridge boat most of the
time. When he wasn't working a dredge
boat, he was working in a seat company. We
We
had a lot of them be s seeing come in
and we ling to me and
and
we've had a fine family. We had five I
had four brothers. My older brother
which got killed in park wreck in um 65
I think it was.
And then I had my uh two or three older brothers.
brothers.
Um I was next to the oldest brother that
got killed and then it was uh Johnny and Billy.
And uh
they were sweet brothers.
They have both passed away. I um I'm the
oldest of living only one living now of
the of my brothers and sis and having sisters.
sisters.
>> So you were the only girl in the family
>> girl in the family. So I guess you can
say I was spoiled a little bit.
But other than that we
had a pretty good family life.
U mom and daddy both died at mama died
at 59
I think daddy was 59 too when he passed away.
He was hit by a car.
>> I know that's not easy. It weren't, but
we got through it.
Me and the kids and everything and I had
pretty good life.
>> How did the structure of your family
How has your physical health changed
over the years?
>> I was very healthy growing up. Weren't
sick too much. A lot of broken bones,
but I was always a tomboy.
>> Except for ripping and racing and
>> Oh, yeah. Time and freeze and
>> playing cowboys and Indians with the
boys. And since I didn't have any girls
to play with and
I had a pretty eventful
life growing up and uh of course now my
health is not as good.
I stayed well up to the time that pretty
much till time my husband died
>> and from pulling on him and everything,
it caused me to and neglected my health
while I was trying to keep him going. It
kind of, you know, went downhill from there.
there.
But I'm getting a little bit stronger
now with Susan's help and all the girls,
you know, helping her back and trying to
keep my spirits going and not let get depressed.
depressed.
>> Good. So, you definitely have a lot of
family support on your side. >> Yes.
>> Yes.
>> What would you say are your physical
strengths at this stage of life?
>> At this stage of life? Oh,
being able to do for myself as much as
possible. Uh, fixing my own meals when I
come in. Um, when Sus not having my do
for myself.
When she gets home, she pretty much does
for me. But I get my bath to it by myself
myself
and get dressed by myself.
And I'm hoping that continues
>> because I don't have to depend upon nobody.
nobody. >> Yes.
>> Yes.
>> Be able to do it myself.
And that was the way I was brought up to
do for yourself as long as you can.
Cuz that's what I've instilled in my
girls. Do for yourself as long as you can.
can. >> Yes.
>> Yes.
How would you describe yourself emotionally?
Mostly I'm pretty good.
That's fine. Uh I'm doing good on that. >> Good.
>> Good.
What has helped you cope with difficult
times in your life?
>> The Lord. >> Amen.
>> Amen.
>> That and the girls.
>> Yes. I always know that if I get down, I
can call one of the girls and know that
they're there.
reading the Lord's word and staying on
tough tough to that and knowing that I
can if I really get down, I can I can
get down and pray
>> and the Lord will help me. >> Yes.
>> Yes.
What do you see as some emotional or
more or less getting around sometimes
get being able to get outdoors and I
have a lot of problems right now with balance
balance
>> and I have to watch myself or fall
getting indoors let I don't have problem
getting outdoors I just fall getting indoors
indoors
So I have to watch that. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> Who are the most important people in
your life right now?
>> My children
>> Do they visit often?
>> Not much, but I
video the text with them and
that's Shane basically every day.
And of course, Susan's right here.
>> And I'll FaceTime the girls and
get in touch like that.
>> Good. What do you see as your social
strengths? For example, in relationships
or community involvement.
>> I don't go out much because of my health.
I'm
Have you ever felt socially isolated or
unsupported at any point in your life? >> No.
>> No. >> Good.
>> Good.
culture, religion or spirituality, how
has that played a role in your life?
>> It played a great role considering I was
married to a minister. And
And
>> was your family
Like your mom and dad, were they very
religious growing up?
>> Not growing up they weren't. But after I
got involved with my husband, we got
into the church. Then mom and daddy
started going to church. They wanted us
>> That's good. Do you think being a woman
influenced your opportunities or
experiences growing up? >> No.
>> No.
>> Were there ever any barriers or
limitations that made things harder for
you at certain times in your life? >> No.
as a lot. Um,
I feel like you should be honest with people
people
>> and treat everyone as you would have
them to treat you.
Be kind
to everyone,
but most of all, put God in your life. >> Yes.
Is there any other part of your life
that we haven't touched on that you
would like to share?
>> I don't think so.
>> Okay. And lastly, what advice would you
give to younger generations?
>> Younger generation, I would say listen
to your parents.
Do as they say because they've lived it
>> and they know.
But most of all, put God in your life.
Cuz with God in your life, you'll go far.
far.
>> Amen. Yes.
>> Without him,
there's not much. >> Absolutely.
>> Absolutely.
>> Most of all, treat people as you would
Thank you. I also will
take heed to that. That's very
good advice.
I really appreciate your time and
the effort that you have put into this.
Click on any text or timestamp to jump to that moment in the video
Share:
Most transcripts ready in under 5 seconds
One-Click Copy125+ LanguagesSearch ContentJump to Timestamps
Paste YouTube URL
Enter any YouTube video link to get the full transcript
Transcript Extraction Form
Most transcripts ready in under 5 seconds
Get Our Chrome Extension
Get transcripts instantly without leaving YouTube. Install our Chrome extension for one-click access to any video's transcript directly on the watch page.
