This week, The Grenada Star spotlights 81-year-old Lorine Parker of Tillatoba.
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born on Jan. 15, 1941, in Benoit.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: My parents were Luther and Gracie Hughes.
Q: What did your parents do for a living?
A: Both of my parents were farmers.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: There were six of us. I am the oldest, and the only sibling left. My nieces and nephew call and check on me, and make sure I have all that I need.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I graduated from Gunnison High School.
Q: What do you recall most from your childhood?
A: I remember being the oldest and getting to tag along with my father, and helping him with everything he needed help with. He did not have a son, so I was able to go and do with him. From the time I can remember, I remember getting to help him pull corn and take care of the horses, and getting to help him in the cotton field. I just remember being with my daddy. I also remember having the best time as a teenager. We would walk two miles one way just to go get a coke. That was always a good time.
Q: Where have you lived?
A: I have lived in Gunnison; Cleveland; Miami Fla.; Huntsville, Ala. and now I live in Tillatoba. My favorite was living in the delta. I absolutely love it over there.
Q: What do you like most about Grenada?
A: All Saints House. This is like my second home. My mom lived here. I had two sisters that worked here and I just love how involved the community is with our little community here at All Saint’s House.
Q: What was your husband’s name?
A: My husbands name was Ted Parker.
Q: How long were you married?
A: We were married for 10 years. He got sick with leukemia and was taken from me too soon. He was my whole heart.
Q: What made your spouse the one for you?
A: He took care of me always. He made sure I always had everything I needed. He was so thoughtful. If we were driving down the road and he saw a wildflower, he would pull over and pick it and stick it behind my ear. He just did little stuff like that and made me so happy. He loved being around people. He loved making me feel special.
Q: What advice do you give married couples for them to have a long, healthy marriage like you did?
A: Be happy. Be best friends. Always talk things over and never go to bed mad. Always say “I love you.” Forgive one another and just be there for one another.
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: I have not attended church since COVID-19. But I watch churches on T.V.
Q: Where do you work? What is your role?
A: I am the activities director at All Saints House. I set up the activities for the residents here. One day it may be bingo or arts and crafts or I may bring in someone to do music. You just never know what we are going to do around here. We like to have fun.
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: I am really a homebody. I travel to All Saint’s and go back home. I just like to stay close.
Q: What inventions have you witnessed that intrigue you? Why?
A: Life itself intrigues me. Organ donation intrigues me. I love how you can give away something you no longer need to someone that really could use it. The computer and technology, and how it works is just neat. I can talk to my doctors and family and do a lot just from my phone and a computer.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: I love getting on my lawnmower in my yard and cutting my grass. I come to All Saints and stay busy with different activities here.
Q: What is your favorite TV show and movie? Why?
A: Oh I love “RFD - The Musical.” It’s an old, but good one. I love the movie with Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra called “The Giant.”
Q: What advice would you like to give people on staying healthy?
A: Don’t be a couch potato. Activities are so good for you. If you can get out there and help someone, do it. It makes them happy, keeps you active and will make you happy, too. Eat healthy. Exercise and remember to take your vitamins.
~ By Mandy Ayers
