This week, The Grenada Star spotlights Ora King, nurses aid for accentCare Hospice (formerly StaHome).
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born Dec. 3, 1961, in a small town in Leflore County called Morgan City. I grew up around Mossy Lake.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I attended Leflore County High School in Itta Bena.
Q: Where all have you lived?
A: Just Morgan City and Itta Bena. I don’t adapt to change well.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I work for accentCare formerly known as StaHome and I am a Nurses Aid. It is a hospice CNA. I help with assisted daily living. Really just being there and spending time with patients and letting them know that I am here to help and support them.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: I honestly just needed a job. I went to unemployment and they asked me if I would be interested in a CNA job and I said “why not.” I didn’t want to be in a factory or somewhere like that; I wanted to do something different. I went to Mississippi Delta Community College nursing program and here I am. I had a wonderful teacher, Kay Slocum. She was a wonderful teacher.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I enjoy meeting new people. I love knowing that when I enter those homes, that I am going to impact someone in some kind of way. I love the thank you and smiles I get every day. The best medicine you can have is the Bible. I love that I get to share God’s love with each and everyone that I see.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I did private sitting and housekeeping. I realized real quick that it wasn’t for me.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: My Grandmother. My mother died in her 30s, so my grandmother had to take in nine children. She was not in the best of health, and for her to raise us all, and us turn out the way we did says a lot. She really made sure we were cared for and I really admire her for that.
Q: If you could relive one day from your life, what day would you choose?
A: The birth of my first child. I would love to go back to the first time I became a mother. That was one of the best feelings.
Q: What is your spouse’s name? What does he do for a living?
A: Robert Williams. He is a supervisor at America’s Catch.
Q: Do you have any children?
A: I have four, Kendrick, Marquitta, Marissa and Courtney.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: Shrimp salad. When we make it, we just throw everything in there. Man it’s good.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Hawaii! I want the sun. I am not going swimming, but I will stick my feet in. Give me a pina colada in a Pineapple and the sun, and I will be good.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I love being outside. I love planting flowers. I love trying to garden. I love playing kickball outside with my grandkids. I could be outside all day long.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: My mom. I was nine or 10 when she passed away, so I never got that chance to have lunch with her. I would love to have a moment with her.
Q: Would you rather read a good book or watch a good movie and why?
A: A good movie. I love the Hallmark Channel. Anything on the Hallmark Channel is good.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
A: Seeing my kids grown and on their own. As a mother, you wish and hope for the best for your kids, and to actually be able to witness it is the best feeling. To know that I did a good job is all worth it.
Q: What would be the No. 1 thing on your Bucket List?
A: Making sure I go to Hawaii! Not for just a week; I want a whole six months there. When I get there, I want to just stay and see everything.
Q: If you could describe your morals in three words, what would they be?
A: Compassion, good listening, and being yourself. I know that is more than three words, but this is the motto I live by. These three things are what take me in and out of a home.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: I want to be remembered as Mother Hen. I laid the foundation for you all and now it’s your turn to carry on what I worked so hard to achieve.
~ By Mandy Ayers
