Fayette Senior Service’s, Inc. (FSS), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, recently celebrated one of their members 103rd birthday this May! Many of the groups and members at FSS gathered together to spread joy and love for a monumental birthday celebration. Mrs. Eliza Spicer was born in 1919 in a small South Carolina town. She takes pride in telling people her hometown is just 52 miles above Savannah and 74 miles below Charleston, creating the perfect opportunity for a quick visit to either of these charming towns! She was raised by her father Samuell and mother Sallie on a vegetable farm with her two sisters.
When she reminisced about her childhood, she smiled as she shared stories of growing up in a small town playing, working and mostly staying out of trouble. She recalls having grits for breakfast and rice for dinner every day and made it clear that to this day, she still doesn’t care for either of those foods. She married at 19 and traveled all over the country for her husband’s job, never living in one place more than a month. When they welcomed their first daughter, they finally settled in Baltimore to provide some stability for their growing family. They added a son to their family before her husband passed away shortly after.
Eliza packed her family up and moved to New York where she built a career for herself in the New York Garment District until she retired at 63 years old. In 2011, she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Fayetteville, GA where she now calls home!
She joined Fayette Senior Services’ STARs (congregate) program and has never looked back, staying active and involved in any and all ways possible. She participates in intermediate aerobics class two times a week, chair aerobics classes two times a week, in addition to other programs and activities throughout the week. She is well-known around the center for her style; with clothing, purse, shoes, and jewelry always matching from head to toe! She attributed her longevity and good health to staying active, sharing her secret is to just keep moving.
“I keep moving. I thank God I have stayed healthy with no major issues and thank him every morning when I wake up to a new day,” she says. Her best advice to others is “Keep moving, be honest, and love and respect your neighbors!”
FSS shared in her delight and is so honored they could help make her celebration so special. In addition, they expressed that they were fortunate that they can provide a center for her to stay engaged in all areas of her life! “Ms. Eliza keeps all of us young with her wit and outgoing personality! We absolutely love having her around, teaching us all how to value life a little more,” expressed Morgan Lanier, FSS Program Coordinator.
When Fayette Senior Services opened decades ago, one of our main focuses was the STARs
Congregate program. This program was designed to provide a social, emotional, and physical outlet for aging adults — focused on reducing food insecurity, promoting socialization, and increasing the health and well-being of aging individuals. Since those days 40 plus years ago, the program has grown exponentially. It has become so much more than a place to spend your morning for something to do, it has flourished into an image of family.
Step into the room and you’ll be filled with joy so quickly you’ll hardly believe it. You’ll experience warm welcomes, witness glowing smiles, and enjoy watching a group that truly cares about each other. Access to services like this help to delay the onset of adverse health conditions that result from poor nutrition or sedentary lifestyle. For seniors who meet the criteria to participate in this program, it truly makes a world of difference for them. For more information about this program, please contact the coordinator and FSS Care Manager Iris Harris at iharris@fayss.org or 770-461-0813.
For over four decades, FSS has been making a meaningful difference in the social, emotional, and physical well-being of adults age 50 and better in our community. FSS provides a variety of essential services to the community, including Meals on Wheels, Transportation, Care Management, In-Home Personal Care, Home Repair, and Ani-Meals. FSS’ Life Enrichment center offers a range of social, leisure, educational and fitness activities in both Fayetteville and Peachtree City and also hosts the award-winning Ultimate Café. For more information about Fayette Senior Services, visit www.fayss.org or call 770-461-0813.
