0:06 >> Before we begin, I want to let you know
0:08 that this interview is an assignment
0:11 from our social work program. With your
0:13 permission, I would like to audio record
0:16 our conversation so I can accurately
0:19 transcribe it for my class. The
0:21 recording and transcript will only be
0:23 used for this assignment and will only
0:26 be viewed by my professor. Your name
0:28 will not will not be included to protect
0:30 your privacy.
0:31 And uh just so you know, your
0:33 participation is completely voluntary.
0:36 If at any time you do not wish to answer
0:38 a question or would like to stop the
0:41 interview, that is perfectly okay.
0:43 Do you have any questions so far? >> No.
0:45 >> No.
0:46 >> No, not then.
0:49 >> Okay. And do I have permission to
0:51 continue with the interview and record?
0:52 >> You do.
0:55 >> Thank you so much.
0:57 >> All righty. Can you tell me a little bit
1:00 about your life story and some of the
1:02 biggest turning points in your life?
1:04 >> I grew up in a little town called
1:08 Artway, North Carolina. I
1:15 had pretty good childhood.
1:18 I got married at 16,
1:20 almost 17.
1:25 Had my first baby at 18.
1:27 was married for about
1:29 >> 49 years. >> Wow.
1:31 >> Wow.
1:40 >> I think he became a preacher
1:44 in about a fifth year I think it was
1:45 >> the works.
1:46 >> And from there he stayed a preacher
1:55 >> Oh. What uh kind of what denomination
1:57 did he preach?
1:58 >> I'm sorry. >> Holiness.
1:59 >> Holiness. >> Okay.
2:01 >> Okay.
2:03 Were there any moments that stood out to
2:07 you the most during your life?
2:15 we went from
2:18 I think we had about three or four churches
2:20 churches
2:23 >> in his lifetime
2:26 and uh our last one was where he um
2:37 How do you think these experiences
2:44 They gave me they gave me faith, strength,
2:47 strength,
2:51 and I don't believe I would have made it
2:54 if I hadn't had the Lord on my side.
2:57 >> And of course, my five girls and grandchildren.
2:59 grandchildren.
3:02 I think it's about 20ome of them. Oh wow.
3:03 wow.
3:06 >> Quite a few of them. >> They
3:07 >> They
3:09 >> But that sounds like a very fulfilling,
3:10 you know, family life.
3:13 >> It was
3:17 very many fun times.
3:20 >> Can you describe your family growing up
3:22 and what that experience was like for you?
3:24 you?
3:27 Well, my father
3:31 worked on a bridge boat most of the
3:34 time. When he wasn't working a dredge
3:39 boat, he was working in a seat company. We
3:40 We
3:44 had a lot of them be s seeing come in
3:48 and we ling to me and
3:50 and
3:54 we've had a fine family. We had five I
3:57 had four brothers. My older brother
4:04 which got killed in park wreck in um 65
4:06 I think it was.
4:09 And then I had my uh two or three older brothers.
4:12 brothers.
4:16 Um I was next to the oldest brother that
4:20 got killed and then it was uh Johnny and Billy.
4:27 And uh
4:30 they were sweet brothers.
4:35 They have both passed away. I um I'm the
4:39 oldest of living only one living now of
4:42 the of my brothers and sis and having sisters.
4:43 sisters.
4:46 >> So you were the only girl in the family
4:48 >> girl in the family. So I guess you can
4:51 say I was spoiled a little bit.
4:54 But other than that we
4:57 had a pretty good family life.
5:01 U mom and daddy both died at mama died
5:03 at 59
5:09 I think daddy was 59 too when he passed away.
5:17 He was hit by a car.
5:27 >> I know that's not easy. It weren't, but
5:30 we got through it.
5:35 Me and the kids and everything and I had
5:39 pretty good life.
5:41 >> How did the structure of your family
5:54 How has your physical health changed
5:57 over the years?
5:59 >> I was very healthy growing up. Weren't
6:02 sick too much. A lot of broken bones,
6:06 but I was always a tomboy.
6:09 >> Except for ripping and racing and
6:12 >> Oh, yeah. Time and freeze and
6:13 >> playing cowboys and Indians with the
6:16 boys. And since I didn't have any girls
6:18 to play with and
6:21 I had a pretty eventful
6:26 life growing up and uh of course now my
6:30 health is not as good.
6:34 I stayed well up to the time that pretty
6:37 much till time my husband died
6:40 >> and from pulling on him and everything,
6:44 it caused me to and neglected my health
6:46 while I was trying to keep him going. It
6:49 kind of, you know, went downhill from there.
6:50 there.
6:52 But I'm getting a little bit stronger
6:57 now with Susan's help and all the girls,
7:00 you know, helping her back and trying to
7:03 keep my spirits going and not let get depressed.
7:04 depressed.
7:07 >> Good. So, you definitely have a lot of
7:09 family support on your side. >> Yes.
7:12 >> Yes.
7:14 >> What would you say are your physical
7:16 strengths at this stage of life?
7:19 >> At this stage of life? Oh,
7:25 being able to do for myself as much as
7:29 possible. Uh, fixing my own meals when I
7:33 come in. Um, when Sus not having my do
7:36 for myself.
7:37 When she gets home, she pretty much does
7:42 for me. But I get my bath to it by myself
7:44 myself
7:47 and get dressed by myself.
7:50 And I'm hoping that continues
7:52 >> because I don't have to depend upon nobody.
7:53 nobody. >> Yes.
7:54 >> Yes.
7:56 >> Be able to do it myself.
7:59 And that was the way I was brought up to
8:03 do for yourself as long as you can.
8:05 Cuz that's what I've instilled in my
8:08 girls. Do for yourself as long as you can.
8:08 can. >> Yes.
8:10 >> Yes.
8:12 How would you describe yourself emotionally?
8:18 Mostly I'm pretty good.
8:30 That's fine. Uh I'm doing good on that. >> Good.
8:32 >> Good.
8:34 What has helped you cope with difficult
8:36 times in your life?
8:37 >> The Lord. >> Amen.
8:39 >> Amen.
8:41 >> That and the girls.
8:46 >> Yes. I always know that if I get down, I
8:48 can call one of the girls and know that
8:50 they're there.
8:57 reading the Lord's word and staying on
9:00 tough tough to that and knowing that I
9:03 can if I really get down, I can I can
9:05 get down and pray
9:07 >> and the Lord will help me. >> Yes.
9:09 >> Yes.
9:12 What do you see as some emotional or
9:20 more or less getting around sometimes
9:24 get being able to get outdoors and I
9:26 have a lot of problems right now with balance
9:28 balance
9:31 >> and I have to watch myself or fall
9:34 getting indoors let I don't have problem
9:36 getting outdoors I just fall getting indoors
9:38 indoors
9:40 So I have to watch that. >> Yeah.
9:42 >> Yeah.
9:45 >> Who are the most important people in
9:46 your life right now?
9:48 >> My children
9:55 >> Do they visit often?
9:58 >> Not much, but I
10:03 video the text with them and
10:07 that's Shane basically every day.
10:11 And of course, Susan's right here.
10:15 >> And I'll FaceTime the girls and
10:18 get in touch like that.
10:21 >> Good. What do you see as your social
10:24 strengths? For example, in relationships
10:26 or community involvement.
10:29 >> I don't go out much because of my health.
10:32 I'm
10:41 Have you ever felt socially isolated or
10:43 unsupported at any point in your life? >> No.
10:45 >> No. >> Good.
10:47 >> Good.
10:54 culture, religion or spirituality, how
10:57 has that played a role in your life?
11:00 >> It played a great role considering I was
11:03 married to a minister. And
11:03 And
11:05 >> was your family
11:07 Like your mom and dad, were they very
11:09 religious growing up?
11:11 >> Not growing up they weren't. But after I
11:15 got involved with my husband, we got
11:18 into the church. Then mom and daddy
11:21 started going to church. They wanted us
11:33 >> That's good. Do you think being a woman
11:35 influenced your opportunities or
11:38 experiences growing up? >> No.
11:40 >> No.
11:43 >> Were there ever any barriers or
11:45 limitations that made things harder for
11:48 you at certain times in your life? >> No.
12:03 as a lot. Um,
12:04 I feel like you should be honest with people
12:07 people
12:09 >> and treat everyone as you would have
12:12 them to treat you.
12:14 Be kind
12:17 to everyone,
12:20 but most of all, put God in your life. >> Yes.
12:26 Is there any other part of your life
12:28 that we haven't touched on that you
12:31 would like to share?
12:32 >> I don't think so.
12:36 >> Okay. And lastly, what advice would you
12:38 give to younger generations?
12:42 >> Younger generation, I would say listen
12:44 to your parents.
12:47 Do as they say because they've lived it
12:50 >> and they know.
12:55 But most of all, put God in your life.
12:57 Cuz with God in your life, you'll go far.
12:58 far.
12:59 >> Amen. Yes.
13:02 >> Without him,
13:06 there's not much. >> Absolutely.
13:07 >> Absolutely.
13:11 >> Most of all, treat people as you would
13:25 Thank you. I also will
13:28 take heed to that. That's very
13:30 good advice.
13:35 I really appreciate your time and
13:37 the effort that you have put into this.
