First Baptist Church, Rutledge
Alabama Crenshaw Baptist Association
Favorite Verse: Philippians 4:13
Favorite Hymn: “He Keeps Me Singing”
Hobbies: Stamp collecting
Family Status: Widowed after 43 years of marriage to Bill; two children, Flinn and Fran; three grandchildren;and 13 great-grandchildren
Hazel Gregory is known in her community as “the grass-mowing grandma.” At nearly 89 years old, Gregory mows her yard as well as a couple of neighboring yards. Her secret joy? Belting out hymns as she mows.
Q: What was your early life like?
A: I was raised on a farm and went through the Depression. I’ve worked with figures since I was 14 because my daddy had a country store, and I would work on the books. After we got married, my husband and I were postal employees for 35 years, one of the last husband and wife postal teams in the nation. We always worked toward having a home for our children. That was inbred in us, that God gave us a family and that we should look after them as much as possible.
Q: How did you come to know the Lord?
A: A preacher had preached at our church when I was about 10 years old and nearly scared me to death talking about hell. But my mother asked (our pastor), Frank Flynn, to come and talk to me. I thought he looked like Jesus. We sat on the front porch, and he led me to the Lord. I felt loved so completely, a love I had never experienced before.
Q: How have you been involved in church through the years?
A: I’ve been part of teaching Sunday School as a helper or a teacher since I was 16 years old, and I’ve taught every age group. I’m now teaching young adults and middle adults, and so far, they don’t mind a bit (that I’m a senior adult). I’m also the church pianist and the church clerk and treasurer.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in church in the future?
A: I’ll go as long as I can, and I’ll be glad of any part I can have.
Q: What does the Christian life mean to you?
A: It’s all there is and I cannot imagine any other way to live. Wouldn’t it be awful to know you didn’t have the Lord? He has greatly blessed me, and I’ve had a wonderful life. It hasn’t always been easy but it’s been wonderful and if He calls me today, I know where I’m going.
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