What Is She Doing Now?

Alma T. Brown, retired from JPL in January 2003 having served as a Librarian Senior for Children's Services and Circulation Departments and Head Reference Librarian in General Services and Art & Music Departments.  She also served a short stint at Eastside and Southside Branches. Mrs. Brown said, "I started my fantastic career at JPL as a provisional clerk, October 6, 1971, in the Main Library's Art & Music Department with Jeff Driggers as my supervisor.

"Since my retirement, January 2003, I have remained active in volunteer work.  Once a week, I read to preschoolers at Community Connections on Duval Street.  I service Avon representatives and customers at the Avon Training Center on Normandy Boulevard two days a week and have maintained my involvement with church work on a regular basis. Hence, I call myself a “retired librarian,” rather than a “former librarian.” For me, the difference is that I am still involved, yet on my own flexible terms, and that adds “spice” in my life that I didn’t have time for during my working years.

"My husband, James, and I still find time for travel.  We attend church conferences and conventions several times a year and visit family and friends along the way. I enjoyed my first cruise, February 2012, to the beautiful Bahamian Islands.

"Our daughter, Courtney and her husband, Reginald, still live in New Jersey; the younger two daughters, Garnetta and H. Maria, live in Delaware, while our oldest, Faith, and youngest, James, II, live in Orange Park, Florida. We “claim” other children as well, so these are the source of our grandchildren.  There are six now and we expect the seventh, a granddaughter, in a few days. As our family has grown, so have the celebrations.

"James and I celebrated 55 years of marriage May 20, 2011, at the beautiful Community Club of Mandarin (the Old Freedom School set on the former Harriet Beecher Stowe property). It was indeed a fabulous affair orchestrated by our children with guests from various places, including our neighborhood. We have been blessed with good health as we grow older and better!"

Alma and James, your picture reflects the joy in your marriage and now you're a couple of months away from celebrating 57 years together.  Congratulations in advance and may you enjoy many more years together.  What a lovely example you are to all who have the honor of knowing you.