One word that might best describe Longview resident Edith Wilson? Devoted.
She's been happily married to the same man, her high school sweetheart, for 53 years.
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Edith Wilson, 72, has enjoyed working with Longview's Meals on Wheels program since it began 25 years ago.
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She's followed the same career path since she was 19 years old, from the time of her first job as a banking secretary to the time of her retirement as vice president of White Oak State Bank.
Also, she has been an integral part Longview's Meals on Wheels program since its inception 25 years ago.
Her introduction
"Meals on Wheels started in an office at First Christian Church," said Edith, 72. "My husband D.L. and I were very active within the church, and I volunteered my time as a substitute driver delivering food to people who were homebound or who couldn't prepare meals themselves."
However, soon the program became something bigger than a single church office could manage.
Several area churches, including First Christian, joined to form a non-profit organization to enable congregations and groups to work more effectively together in the community — the Longview Community Ministries.
Today, about 120 meals are delivered daily by a team of 20 volunteers. Edith is overjoyed.
"Longview is such a giving community," she said. "This system works perfectly, and I'm so amazed every day how many good hearts are out there to serve others."
Her role
For the past seven years, Edith has been a part of the program's advisory committee and has worked as the volunteer coordinator. Although she's taken on more responsibilities than her days of substitute driving, she doesn't plan to stop doing what she's most passionate about — delivering hot meals to those who need them.
"I think I may be the only person someone sees all day long," Edith said. "It feels really good to see their smiling faces when I walk up to their doors with hot plates of food. It feels like I've made a difference in their lives, if only for a few minutes."
Edith tries to spend some time with each person she delivers food to, even if it's only to chat about the weather.
"I know one person can't affect the whole world, but I guess I feel like I can at least affect one person's world in a positive way ... just by lending an ear," she said.
Other things
Edith enjoys spending time with family and friends. She's part of a small group, the DMAs.
"That stands for Don't Mention Ages," Edith said. "It's just a fun little recreational group of us from church. We have some good times together.
When she's not volunteering at Meals on Wheels, this extraordinary woman still can be found doing what she loves — giving. She's very active in her church, and loves to cook for the congregation some Wednesday nights.
"God is so good and He has blessed me with such a rich, full life," she said. "I want to share that with others by giving back when I can."
