Alma
When a person is 102 years old, there are likely numerous stories of life experiences to hold a listener’s fascinated attention. Alma McGlone’s life stories will certainly cause you to want to know more.
The Baptist Village of Elk City resident’s unique journey began on a family peanut farm outside of Hydro, Oklahoma – a farm that her uncle had won in one of the original land lotteries during Oklahoma’s land run era. She enjoyed life on the farm, which also included riding a horse to school each day.
When she became an adult, her professional life proved even more remarkable. She worked for Oklahoma’s first TV station; KWTV in Oklahoma City. She then served as personal secretary for the man known as the “father of Oklahoma City” – Henry Overholser. Alma also served with multiple professional associations, including the American Business Women’s Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Ladies Auxiliary.
Later on, Alma decided to come out of “retirement” and work for Walmart … for an additional 27 years! While there, she started the “sunshine committee” and personally baked a cake for every employee’s birthday – sometimes three or four cakes a day. She finally decided to “retire” again at the age of 97.
Alma moved to Baptist Village of Elk City about three years ago. “My family finally found a place good enough for me!” she laughs. Alma was beginning to get lonely living by herself. She decided to move into the Village with a little coaxing from her granddaughter, Melena, who serves on the Friends Team (staff) at Baptist Village.
Initially, Alma was nervous about moving to the Village. She had been raised in the Catholic church, but she had separated from the church many years ago. Her fear was that people at Baptist Village wouldn’t accept her, since she didn’t know scripture well or “how to pray.” But Baptist Village serves people regardless of faith or spiritual background. Not only was she accepted, but fellow residents Ruth and Sarah took her under their wings and ministered to her.
“They came to me and said, ‘All you have to do is pray and ask God to forgive you your sins. And that’s what I did.”
She wouldn’t trade it for anything. With tears of joy, she says, “I don’t know how to describe it … my feeling after I prayed.”
Alma is truly experiencing an enhanced life at Baptist Village, and she is feeling right at home. “Alma is the most fun-loving, up-for-anything kind of person you could ever meet,” says Cathy Henderson, Elk City campus director. “And we have a lot of great things here. We have car shows, shopping days, Bible studies, parades. It is a hopping, fun place to be.”
If not for the generosity and heart of many faithful people, Alma would be unable to experience these wonderful opportunities. The Larry and Edwine Adams Assistance Fund provides monthly financial assistance to Alma and many others living at all 12 Baptist Village Communities throughout Oklahoma. “If it wasn’t for the Adams Assistance Fund, I wouldn’t be able to be here. It is so appreciated.”
How is Alma doing today? “Well, I’m 102 years old. I’ll be 103 in November,” she says. “You know, after you get to be a certain age, you’re kind of proud of it!”
And Alma is proud to be a cheerleader for Baptist Village – her place called home. “It’s such a nice place – just marvelous. You’re never alone. You are welcome here, that’s for sure. We’d love to have you, and I’d like to visit with you. I am probably spoiled here, but … I like it!”