Feisty as ever!

MADELINEDEJOURNETTadvancensc@sbcglobal.net "Why did I let you talk me into this?" says Jewel Fisher, as she tells her story to a curious reporter.

Jewel Fisher and Wanda Jenkins are as feisty as ever!

A visit with these 86-and-87-year-old ladies at the Advance Assisted Living Center reveals that the two octogenarians are enjoying their golden years.

"I'm just a few months younger than Wanda," explains Jewel. "I'm 86 and holding!"

MADELINEDEJOURNETTadvancensc@sbcglobal.net Retired school teacher Wanda Jenkins grew up in the Tillman, Missouri southeast of Advance. She was the youngest of nine children. "Our mother made all our clothes," Jenkins remembers.

Born in a small town in northern Arkansas, Jewell married Louie Fisher in 1947 and moved to Bell City, where they operated a furniture store for 31 years.

"The building was originally occupied by a laundromat, but he didn't pay his rent, so we decided to open our own store there," Jewel explains. "We had a good business."

Unfortunately, there are no photos of the furniture store.

"All my pictures were destroyed in a fire in 1970," Jewel adds.

Jewell has two brothers and four sisters, only one of which has passed away. She is the oldest.

As this reporter is visiting with Jewel Fisher, Wanda Jenkins joins us for a chat.

Wanda (Tippett) Jenkins grew up in the Tillman area southeast of Advance. She relates her memories of the past:

"I was the youngest. Mom had four children and Dad had five. Everybody was poor back then. My sisters would earn money by cleaning houses. Mom worked hard; she was a school teacher, and she made all our clothes. She even made our slips! I remember singing in plays."

Both ladies enjoy their time at the Center.

"If you can't live at home, this is great!" admits Jewel, who has been living at the center since Dec. 13, 2012.

The interview was cut short, when the ladies saw that the Bingo table was being set up.

"Oh, we can't miss Bingo!" Wanda exclaims.