person of the week:paula spears

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

A.) I have lived in Hohenwald for 47 years. I served as a University of Tennessee Extension Agent for almost 40 years. I have one son, Kyle Ellis and was married to Coach Howard Spears for 30 years. I enjoy traveling, watching UT football, spending time with my two grandsons and serving with the Encouragers group at Hohenwald Church of Christ.

Q.) Where did you grow up?

A.) I grew up in Florence, Alabama. I left Florence after high school graduation to attend David Lipscomb University in Nashville and stayed in Tennessee. So I think I have been here long enough to be called a Tennessean.

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

A.) Most of my childhood memories are of a lot of work. I grew up on a farm so there was always some kind of hard work going on. I really liked going to school and one of my fondest memories was having a wonderful teacher who was so kind and loved her students. Some of us even got to go home with her on the weekends. That could not happen in the times we live in now.

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

A.) I always thought I wanted to be a teacher, social worker or airline stewardess. But when I flew for the first time when I was 18, I didn't like it and knew that would not be my career!

So I went to college to be a social worker and after my first class in sociology, I decided that was the most boring class I had ever sat through. I had friends who were majoring in Home Economics and their classes looked like so much fun. I signed up for one and never looked back. I loved getting my degree in Home Economics Education and was prepared to teach school. But God had another plan for me and I was interviewed for a job with UT Extension. I accepted a position in Hohenwald where I was employed to work with the 4-H Club and other youth, adult home economics and community development. I loved going to work every day and enjoyed it for almost 40 years.

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

A.) Although I probably did not think so growing up, I came to realize that my mother was my biggest role model. She had such a strong work ethic that was instilled in me at an early age and that has helped me throughout my life. My father died when I was 6 years old, and I watched my strong courageous mother raise and provide for four daughters. She made us strong and independent. She also raised us up in church where we never missed a service and developed us as strong Christians.

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

A.) I really do enjoy reading. I could read a book every day but try not to. I like to travel, go to football games, have attended many concerts over the years, like to hang out with my church friends and other special friends, love to shop, try new restaurants and watch any and every activity that my grandson's Denton and Carson are involved in. Watch lots of sports!

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

A.) I've pretty much been everywhere I've ever wanted to go. I love New Orleans, Savannah Georgia, Charleston SC, and any beach. I would like to go to Vermont in the winter and see if it really looks like a Hallmark movie.

Q.) What is "your" song?

A.) I did say that I am a Tennessean now but my favorite song is Sweet Home Alabama along with every other song from Lynyrd Skynyrd. I love 70's southern rock and that's about all I listen to.

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

A.) I love how our small businesses are always ready to help out. I love our small business community and like to shop with them. I love how the churches come together in the community to support everyone too. It's just a great atmosphere and a loving community.

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

A.) I like all the seasons. I probably enjoy fall the most. Love all the colors and the activities associated with this beautiful time of the year.

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

A.) I love being retired because I can spend my days as I please. But I did love my career and couldn't wait to go to work each day.

Q.) Do you have a nick name?

A.) No I don't.

Q.) If you could invite any famous person over for dinner, who would it be? Why?

A.) That's a very hard question because I would be a nervy wreck if a famous person showed up for dinner. But growing up in north Alabama, I always loved the story of Helen Keller. She was known for never giving up though she was limited by both blindness and deafness. She was a champion of women's rights and rights for people with disabilities.

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

A.) Try to live each day with thinking about how you can help others. If you only think of yourself all of the time, that can be depressing. Helping others will bring joy and happiness to your life. 1 Corinthians 16:14 "Let all that you do be done in love."