By Staff
Senior Living
(This week The Atmore Advance spotlights 84-year old Edna Tillery. Tillery has traveled all over the United States and throughout several different countries, visiting places like the WWI Cemetery in Paris, France; Germany and Switzerland. She enjoyed Germany the most because she said it was the cleanest country. She does a lot to help her friends, like going to visit them and taking them different food dishes.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in McKenzie, down below Georgiana. My birthday is May 2, 1923.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: Bud and Lula Sirmon. They were from Georgiana.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: I had seven, all of them are deceased but my sister. She's three years older than me. She is Mary Ellen Hines and she lives in Georgiana.
Q: Where did you attend high school and college?
A: I went to high school in McKenzie. I had no college.
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: Yes, I've been a lot of different places. I've been to San Antonio, Texas; Houston, Texas; Tennessee; Mississippi; Gretna, La., Belleau Wood in France where the World War I Cemetery is in Paris; England; Switzerland; Belgium; Austria; Germany; The Netherlands and Liechtenstein.
Q: What was your favorite place to visit?
A: I liked Germany, that was the cleanest country.
Q: What jobs have you held?
A: I worked three years in Georgiana at Nightingale Uniform Factory. I moved to Atmore in 1955 and started to work at Vanity Fair. I worked there for 28 years and nine months. I retired from there.
Q: Why did you decide to move to Atmore?
A: My husband came down here and got a job at Amoco Oil Co.
Q: Did you ever marry?
A: Yes, to Bill Tillery. He died in 1985.
Q: Do you have any children or grandchildren?
A: Yes, I had four girls, one is deceased and three boys. All but the one is living. Still living are Jane Gulsby in Seminole, Lamar Tillery in Weeks Bay, David Tillery in Atmore, Fredrick Tillery in Boat Yard Lake, Debbie Woods in Atmore and Pam Rehorn in Bay Minette.
I have 23 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: McRae Methodist
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: I read a lot and visit sick people, doing things for them. I'm on the road a lot and go places with people. I used to crotchet all the time, used to make quilts.
Q: What's your favorite TV show?
A: The food channel. I can watch that and not get upset.
Q: What advice would you like to give people on staying healthy?
A: Eat right and travel a lot and don't worry. Also, don't eat sweets. I like to eat at home a lot. I like vegetables, chicken and fish.
(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)