Strike up a conversation on bowling and Lottie Wilkerson spares no words; it’s a topic that just bowls her over.
But a discussion of her accomplishments isn’t what gets her going. Rather, she wants to talk about the avenue by which her talent has allowed her to help others.
This energetic, 82-year-old member of 12th Street Baptist Church in Gadsden was named to the Etowah County Hall of Fame in the 1980s, received a lifetime membership in the National Bowling Association and became the state champion in the seniors’ singles tournament in November 2001. Four times, she has won the state competition in her age division, an achievement that offers a trip to the national tournament.
Wilkerson has participated in more than 40 state tournaments since 1959, which is when she and her husband, Milford, became interested in bowling.
With a 14-pound ball, she averages a score of 150. In the earlier years, that average was around 170 with a 16-pound ball.
She has bowled all across the United States, enjoying the fellowship and competition.
Wilkerson, however, said that if she’s done anything to be proud of in this sport, it would be her work with a bowling program for clients of Snellgrove Civitan Center in Gadsden, which assists people dealing with mental challenges. Through this project, her knowledge and abilities in bowling make a contribution in the lives of others.
Once a week for at least the past 30 years, Wilkerson and others have worked with the clients to provide an outing for fellowship, physical activity and learning. The program, Wilkerson said, was started by one of her friends, Mary Nell Harkins.
That commitment, coupled with her regularly scheduled bowling in the ladies’ league and the 55-and-up mixed group Spice of Life, makes Wilkerson a recognized fixture at Paradise Lanes in Rainbow City.
Wilkerson feels that her love of working with children and the Snellgrove clients may have been borne from the tragedy of not getting to rear her own offspring.
The only child of Wilkerson and her husband was stillborn in 1957. Because of a caring visit from 12th Street Baptist’s pastor at the time of this tragedy, the Wilkersons decided to attend there.
After becoming members, church became a significant part of the Wilkersons’ lives, she said. She worked with Girls in Action for a while and continues to be a member of the women’s Sunday School class.
In her community, she frequently visits neighbors, sharing with them her delicious zucchini bread.
Now looking to the couple’s 67th wedding anniversary in September, Wilkerson says it is only by the grace of the Lord that she is still able to be active. “Thank you,” she said, is the first thing she proclaims each morning when she puts her feet on the floor. “I can’t take credit for anything I’ve done — nothing.”
And yes, she does hold a few secrets to life:
The method for being successful in bowling is to not take it seriously. When she gets to the point where losing upsets her, she says she’ll know it’s time to give up the sport.
Plus, the way to remain spry is to keep going until God decides it’s time to put on the brakes.
“When the Good Lord gets ready for me to slow down,” she said, “I’ll slow down.”
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