RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT – November 2022
Our resident spotlight shines on Inez Oliver for November. Ms. Inez was born in Uniontown, Alabama and is the oldest of 3 sisters. The family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee when she was 2 years old, so she considers Chattanooga as her hometown.
After graduating from Howard High School, Ms. Inez went to Tennessee State University for 2 years. Ms. Inez says she met her future husband, James Moon when they were in 3rd grade. They became high school sweethearts and married after he did 4 years in the military. They had 4 children and were living in New York when James passed away from cancer at just the age of 29.
Ms. Inez moved her family to Atlanta to be near her mother. In Atlanta, Ms Inez remembers going to the record shop with her sisters and children in tow. She says the owner of the shop kept staring at her and she went to sit near the front of the store. The owner eventually came over and asked her if she was going to buy anything. She replied, “I don’t spend my money on junk like this.” He then said, “I’m gonna marry you!” Six months later, Melvin, the shop owner, and Ms Inez were married.
Through this union, Ms Inez and Melvin had a son, which gave her a total of 5 children. During this time, Ms Inez went back to college and finished her Bachelor’s Degree in English with a Minor in French from Morris Brown College in 1968. She taught High School English for five years. Ms Inez’s youngest sister, Alma Jean, stated that she was inspired by her and to obtain her Degree.
Ms. Inez’s professional life took her to the Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs where she worked for 24 years as a Consumer Fraud Investigator. This work had her going undercover to visit businesses that had complaints against them. She remembers one case where she took in a car that only needed a minor repair, but the shop said it needed hundreds of dollars of repairs. Ms. Inez was so smart that she asked them to write up a list of the needed repairs so she could show her husband. The list was evidence used against the business when they were charged with fraud.
Faith is very important to Ms. Inez. She’s been a member of Ben Hill United Methodist Church for 50 years. When Ms. Inez retired, she didn’t stop working, instead, she taught Adult Education classes for immigrants, teaching English as a second language. At the local senior center, Ms. Inez worked with the memory care people. She also enjoyed the Friday line dance sessions and the travel club.
She’s traveled everywhere from Paris, France to Cape Town, South Africa with trips to Alaska and the Bahamas too. Ms. Inez says she loves to travel with her family and remembers going to Disney World and New Jersey theme parks as well as Six Flags here in Atlanta.
Ms. Inez loved to read her bible and play Scrabble and Solitaire before her eyesight worsened. She enjoys musicals and plays at the theater. Another favorite pastime of hers is watching the Atlanta Hawks games. For Ms. Inez, spending time with her family is the best. She has 9 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
At Woodland Ridge, Ms. Inez likes Bible study, music activities, parties, and all the new friends she’s made. She says, “I enjoy the meals, the activities, and the friendships. You can always look forward to something going on.”
We love Ms. Inez’s upbeat attitude and her terrific smile. She’s a friend to everyone. We’re so glad Ms. Inez decided to call Woodland Ridge her home.
If you or an aging loved one is considering a move to an Assisted Living Facility for Elderly Care Services in Smyrna GA please contact the caring staff at Woodland Ridge today. 770-431-7055
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