Mrs. Maxine - Demographics and beyondMrs. Maxine represents my archetypal vision of the healthy “seasoned citizen.” Maxine is a Caucasian woman born in rural Mullens, West Virginia in 1926. She is the only child in a "middle class" Southern Baptist family. Joseph Hammond, his father, was a farmer. Her mother, Ruby, was a “full-time mother” and prided herself on “running the house.” Maxine explained that farmers' wives were regularly responsible for the daily operations of the household. His Southern Baptist faith was complementary to that of his parents and his pastor grandfather. Maxine's life is a faith-filled journey engulfed by multiple personal tragedies. The first tragedy struck Maxine in the fall of 1928. The relentless weather combined with the struggle to harvest the failing crops caused Joseph to develop pneumonia. Pneumonia claimed the lives of Joseph and Maxine's father when she was only two years old. The death of his father forced this single-parent family to move to the “city” to look for work. In 1930, Ruby took a job as a seamstress in a "shirt factory" in Wytheville, Virginia. In 1935, Ruby was transferred to Christiansburg, Virginia, where she continued her career as a seamstress. Maxine graduated from high school in 1946. Shortly after graduation, Ruby married Benny Liverman and the family moved to Norfolk, Virginia. Maxine and Benny were always distant. Maxine went to work in the nascent telephone industry at carrier AT&T in 1950. While working at AT&T, she met, courted, and married Cecil Hunt. During this time, Maxine became an active member of the faith community at Norview Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia. Maxine remains an active member to this day.Maxine has two children L...... middle of paper ......had strength and commitment to "be the best she can be" through her desire to " keep up with society." This is manifested by his desire to learn how to use a computer and his use of the Internet and e-mail. However, the common theme raised by Maxine during the interviews was her love and devotion to her “Christian family.” His loyal and faithful commitment to his Church, almost throughout his life, made him a member of a Christian family. This Christian family plays an essential role in his life. This same Christian family gave her the opportunity to meet her current husband and best friend. I am grateful to have the opportunity to conduct two separate interviews with Maxine. His story is interesting and encouraging. As I progress toward my “golden years,” I hope that I maintain a healthy body, mind, and soul. This formula obviously worked for Maxine.