A very special Meals on Wheels volunteer

By: Mike Royer | Alabama's13.com
Published: December 16, 2009

It’s important to doing things for others anytime, but especially this time of year.

A local retired school teacher is a busy woman, busy serving the basic needs of her neighbors.

It's something many of us could do, if we just would.

We’re highlighting a special Meals on Wheels volunteer in this Spirit of Alabama report.

If you attended Hayes High School or Huffman High School, many of you will remember Barbara Williams. She retired from Huffman nearly 25 years ago.

I went for a ride with Barbara Williams this week. She misses teaching and is so proud of her former students.

"Now some of them are dentist, they're lawyers... I'm just so proud of them," Williams said.

Barbara Williams keeps busy these days with church and friends, but every Monday like clockwork, she picks up meals and sets off to deliver them to folks who can't get out... folks who can count on her for a hot meal.

"The people are so sweet, and they look for me and be waiting for me," Williams said.

Every home, every person has a story. The sweet lady in one home wanted me to see the photograph of her beautiful daughter who died a couple years ago. I was glad she shared that with me.

The people Barbara Williams delivers food to appreciate the Meals on Wheels program and especially the volunteers who care enough to drive their own cars, buy their own gas, to get a good meal to them.

Alma Moore is the volunteer coordinator for meals on wheels, and is a big fan of Barbara Williams.

"It takes about 61 volunteers a day to deliver the meals so in excess of 300 a week," Moore said. “So she's delivering meals to senior citizens and really has mobility issues herself, but it just goes to show you that everybody qualifies to help someone out."

She says “whoopsie” a lot. She says it as sort of a reminder to step carefully off the curb or steps or when the sidewalk is wet and slippery. She's not fast, but no one’s timing her either. She loves meeting this need.

"Because you know what, they make me feel good, you know, oh baby, they just make me feel so good and be concerned about me you know, and that makes me feel good, as least someone loves me," Williams said.

Barbara Williams patiently waits, knowing it takes some folks a while to get to the door. For some, her brief visit is the only visit they get from anyone all week. She doesn't feel she's ever alone.

"And an amazing thing, when the weather’s bad, it stops raining until I deliver the meals and it doesn't rain at all, and so I know the Lord is watching over me," Williams said.

"She is faithful, she is here every Monday rain or shine to deliver those meals for us," Moore said.

Let's pray for sure footing, and good health for this treasure of a volunteer, Meals on Wheels volunteer Barbara Williams. That's the Spirit of Alabama.