When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About 1/3 of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing. A meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens led to designating May as “Senior Citizens Month,” the prelude to “Older Americans Month.”
This month Helping Hearts Senior Care would like to recognize and honor one of our oldest client, Mrs. Inez Carter of Adamsville, Al. Mrs. Carter is 96 years old. She was born in 1923 and raised in Pine Hill, AL. She has 7 kids whom she raised in a 3 bedroom house, 16 grandkids, and many great grands.Growing up, she worked as a cotton picker in the cotton fields. She never learned to drive and walked everywhere that she went.
She is a devoted christian and attended church until the age of 94 at Woodland Park church of Christ. Her granddaughter Pamela Martin laughs as she remembers how her grandmother would attend all three services- “Sunday Morning, Sunday Evening, & Wednesday night bible study,” says Pam.
We had the privilege of asking Ms. Martin some questions about her grandmother:
1) What was your grandmother’s favorite thing to do?
A: “She loved to cook and she was good at it. Everybody would come to grandma’s house to eat. They would be lined up and she was known for her Sweet Potato Pie. Everyone wanted her to make one for them. Grandma could cook,” stated Pam.
2) What is your favorite memory with your grandma?
A: Laughing, Pam replied, ” I remember whenever I’d spend the night with grandma, we would walk to the store behind the house and grandma would tell me to get whatever I wanted. I’d get so much candy.” Then she stated, ” I also remember when grandma would let me stay up with her at night and she’d be eating her favorite nighttime snacks, Ritz crackers and block cheese. Every now and then I still will eat that.”
3) Why is your grandmother so special to you?
A: With tears in her eyes, Pam replied ” My grandma has always had my back and she lives in the truth. She’s a christian woman and just has a beautiful spirit. Everyone loves my grandma. I have a good grandma.”
Mrs. Carter joined the Helping Hearts family in November 2019, we are very grateful to be a part of her story. She has Made her Mark.
In celebration of Older American Month