Meet Ms. Alice Pearl Timmons, the Y’s oldest member who turned 100 years old this past December.
Growing up in South Carolina, she described her experience as being full of farming, raising livestock and vegetables and segregation. Education was limited as children were needed for labor and were taken out of the schools. The majority of her town lived as farmers.
Once Alice turned 20 she met her husband Aurin Timmons. Together, they worked on her mother’s farm for six years in Cartersville, South Carolina. Enduring long hours filled with hard work, the couple decided it was time to seek a better life and moved their family, including three children, to Baltimore, Maryland in 1943.
During their time in Baltimore, her husband found work at the B&O Railroad which he continued for 38 years. Historically, the B&O Railroad was the major line that straddled a divided country during the Civil War. In the present day, this railroad has now become a museum, open for visitors to experience this historical national landmark.
Understanding the importance of education, Timmons continued her quest for knowledge and became a certified nursing assistant, in which she maintained for 38 years.
Timmons became a role model for her children, as all three of her sons graduated from college.
Though Timmons husband, Aurin, has since passed away at the age of 90, Alice has been able to keep herself busy. She visits the Y twice a week during the months of June through November while she is thawing from the cold Maryland weather.
While in here, Timmons resides with her two sons, Richard and Wiley in Deerfield Beach, Florida. In addition to being a proud mother, Timmons is also a grandmother to eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and even one great-great-grandchild.
The big question is, how has Timmons been able to stay so active at such an experienced age? Well, according to her, the answer is not very complicated.
When asked to explain her longevity, she replied, “faith in God, good genes, a healthy diet, exercise and frequent medical examinations.”
A word to the wise, from the wise, treat your body and others with respect, and you will live a life of fulfillment, no matter what the age may be!