This week, The Grenada Star spotlights 64-year-old Cecelia Granholm of Grenada.
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born on Sept. 10, 1958, in Morris, Ill.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: My parents were Billy and Dixie Lance.
Q: What did your parents do for a living?
A: My father worked at Heatcraft where he retired from and mother was a health aid at the health department.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: I have two brothers, John Lance and Doug Jackson, and one sister, Linda Jackson Penn.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I graduated high school from Grenada High. I was actually a part of the second class to graduate from the new school building. I then attended Holmes Community College in Goodman for two years and graduated from Delta State University in 1980.
Q: What do you recall most from your childhood?
A: I remember that we used to camp all of the time. We had a lot of family cookouts and we went on tons of vacations.
Q: Where have you lived?
A: I lived in Illinois until I was three when we moved to Grenada and I have been here ever since.
Q: What do you like most about Grenada?
A: I love the connections. Everyone knows everyone. We all help each other.
Q: What is your husband’s name?
A: Ralph Granholm
Q: How long have you been married?
A: We were married in 2004. We have been married for 17 years.
Q: What made your spouse the one for you?
A: I love his personality and that he has such a giving nature about him.
Q: What advice do you give married couples for them to have a long, healthy marriage like you do?
A: Always put God first. From the start, you must be able to communicate with one another. You and your spouse cannot be the only one involved in your marriage. Your marriage includes three people. God must be in the center of your marriage always.
Q: Do you have any children?
A: I have one stepson, Eric Granholm, and two daughters, Julia Richardson and Brooke Simmons.
Q: Where do your children live and what do they do for a living?
A: Eric lives in Nova Scotia, Canada and works in graphic design. Julia works at Modine in Grenada where she is the accountant. Brooke lives in Bartlett, Tenn. where she is an IT specialist for Brother Corporation.
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: Before COVID-19, we would attend Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Q: Where did you work? What was your role?
A: I began teaching in 1980 at Willia Wilson Elementary School. I taught a total of 32 years in kindergarten and first grade. I retired in May 2012. In June of 2012, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo surgery and chemo. I am currently going through treatment for metastatic breast cancer in my left lung. It returned in August 2020 right during the start of the pandemic. My recent scans show that the cancer is stable. I travel to Oxford for my monthly shots and check ups.
Q: Do you have any grandchildren?
A: I have my very first grandchild coming June 25. I am so excited to say that Brynleigh Brooke will be here soon and I cannot wait for her to get here and let the spoiling begin.
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: Ralph is more of the outgoing type. I am not much for traveling. I consider myself a homebody.
Q: What inventions have you witnessed that intrigue you? Why?
A: When I first started teaching, we had to use ink to make copies for papers for class and now everything is right at our fingertips. We have computers and printers and phones; technology has really made things easier for us.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: I enjoy gardening and yard work. I love to decorate and make flower arrangements. Before the pandemic, I would go decorate for weddings and showers, and anywhere someone needed me. We enjoy riding around the neighborhood on the golf cart and catching up with the neighbors. We like to walk, too. Right now, Ralph and I are into remodeling our home. We are about to tackle the biggest project, our two bathrooms. We have really enjoyed doing this. It keeps us busy for sure.
Q: What is your favorite TV show and movie? Why?
A: I don’t really watch much TV, but I do like to watch Home and Garden. I am not a movie person; just not for me.
Q: What advice would you like to give people on staying healthy?
A: Go on walks. Go to the gym with your spouse. Don’t be a couch potato. Find something to do to keep you busy.
~ By Mandy Ayers
