Person of the Week

Era Bates, 100

by Amanda Spears,

Staff Reporter

This was one of my favorite interviews. Just imagine for a moment the things this lady has seen in her lifetime. She was born on March 2 ,1923. She had all kinds of stories to tell me. I hope you all enjoy getting to know a little bit about this young lady.

Q.) Can you tell me a little about yourself?

A.) Well I was born March 2, 1923. I was married in 1943 and had my firstborn in 1945. My second child was stillborn. We then had our third in 1961, and my fourth was in 1963 when I was 40 years old.

Q.) Where did you grow up?

A.) Well, Alabama was the beginning and from there we moved to Buffalo River and from there on to Little Swan where we would walk to the old one room school house. I remember some of the children having to cross a creek to get to school and there would be snow on the ground and ice hanging on the bluffs.

Q.) What is one of your fondest childhood memories?

A.) Now this one I will never forget. I was three, maybe three and a half years old, and I got an idea I wanted to climb the ladder up on the roof top. I remember like it was yesterday sitting up there like a little frog. Well it wasn't long before I looked out in the yard and saw Momma with a switch, and I knew right then what was coming. I didn't want to climb down. She talked so soft and nice till my feet hit the ground, my little legs got it good.

Q.) What did you want to be as a kid? What did you actually become?

A.) Well I wanted to be a nurse so I could help people but I became a cook at the nursing home here in Hohenwald. I worked there for eight years. This was the only job I had other than being a homemaker/housewife for my family.

Q.) Who was/ is your biggest role model?

A.) I would have to say the best and only people for anyone to look up to would be their parents.

Q.) What are some of your favorite hobbies/how do you like to spend your free time?

A.) I loved to cook, quilt and do embroidery. I used to enjoy doing any kind of needle work. I wish I could still see well enough to still be able to do it.

Q.) If you could go anywhere, in or out of the states, where would it be? Why?

A.) I wouldn't want to go anywhere but right here where I am. I have never been one for much traveling. Nothing like small town USA.

Q.) What kind of music do you listen to?

A.) Only kind to listen to is good ole gospel.

Q.) What is one of your favorite things about living in Hohenwald?

A.) The fact that it's close to a doctor, it's quiet, home and a small town.

Q.) What is your favorite time of year? Why?

A.) Springtime. I love to see everything blooming.

Q.) You're a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be? Why?

A.) I would be white or pink, more so white because it's so pure, crisp and clean looking.

Q.) What did you enjoy most about your job?

A.) I enjoyed knowing it was time to go home because we always worked short handed. People would call off work and no one would be there to replace them. When I wasn't working they always called me when they needed help because they knew I would go in and help them. So yes when it was time to go home is what I loved most.

Q.) Do you have a nickname?

A.) My grandpa Carroll called me cotton top because my hair was so white.

Q.) Is there any life advice you could give to our readers?

A.) Tend to your own business, don't try to take care of someone else's troubles. Keep your nose on your own face.

Q.) Is there anything you would like to add that my questions may not have touched on?

A.) I have seen a lot of things in my 100 years on this earth, so I would like to say don't worry about things you can't control. Always keep your sense of hummer and always be yourself.

Knowing this young lady walked to school with my great-grandparents was so amazing to me. I was so thankful I got to hear some of her stories about my old pappy Henry Spears and my granddaddy Carroll who I don't remember. Such an amazing woman.