Older Americans - Sharing the Stories of East Texans
Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • August 2, 2021
Dr. Otis and Dr. Bennie Webster - Smith County
As part of the Area Agency of East Texas’ mission to represent and serve the senior population, Dr. Otis and Dr. Bennie Webster of Smith County were gracious enough to share their life story with us.
Dr. Otis and Dr. Bennie met at a young age and were smitten with each other ever since.
“I’ve been with him so long, I’ve probably been shaped by him in some of the things I do in life,” said Dr. Bennie.
Dr. Bennie received her Bachelor of Arts degree and teaching certification in 1974 from Texas A&M University in Commerce. She went on to earn her Master of Education with a certification in Special Education from Texas A&M Commerce in 1995. Furthering her degree, she received her Doctorate in 1990 from Texas A&M Commerce.
Along with numerous teaching positions, including most recently Tyler Junior College, Dr. Bennie has served her community in different roles. She has served as Board President of Discover Science Place, served as shelter manager of the critical needs shelter at TJC for Hurricane Rita, assisted in establishing emergency living shelters for Hurricane Katrina victims, and more non-profit ministries.
Dr. Otis received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Biology from Wiley College. He went on to earn his Master’s and Doctorate from Texas A&M Commerce. Working in the educational field, he held careers as a professor, worked in student affairs, and is currently a professor in the psychology department at Tyler Junior College.
When it comes to life mottos, Dr. Otis told a childhood story about the term ‘lollygag,’ meaning spend time aimlessly. However, to him, he termed it “lalogag” - Living a life of gratitude and gratefulness.
“I don’t have bad days,” he said. “I might have a bad moment, but a bad day, I quit having bad days 60 years ago.”
Speaking on the topic of growing older in a community that supports aging, Dr. Bennie laughed and said, “I wouldn’t say I’m an older person, I would say I’m a more seasoned person.”
She credited her health to physical activity, diet, peace, and staying active in the community.
“When you have peace in your life, it’s very easy to give back to people and reach out,” Dr. Bennie said.
“For me, it’s maintaining a healthy mindset and engaging in things that are healthy for me,” Dr. Otis said. “A healthy attitude and a healthy diet.”
A large part of the Webster’s life is the involvement with their non-profit program, Youth Keepers of America, which works with youth in the community and across the world to build skills in maintaining healthy relationships with others.
When asked about advice given to others about aging well, both spoke on finding your own path.
“You don’t have to swim upstream going against the current to be successful, nor do you have to swim downstream with the current to be successful,” said Dr. Otis. “My advice is to find your own stream and let it guide you.”
“Be true to yourself. Be who you are,” said Dr. Bennie. “Be the best person you can be and be who you are and be true to yourself and run your own race."
The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas is partnering with First Christian Church in Jacksonville to offer a free Benefits & Estate Planning Presentation for Seniors and Caregivers. The informative workshop will be held Thursday, September 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at the First Christian Church Sanctuary, 1920 Beaumont Street in Jacksonville. Presented by Paul Zambie, Managing Attorney with Texas Legal Services Center, the session will help attendees better understand legal and planning issues that can affect older adults and their families. Topics will include wills and trusts, deeds, transfer-on-death deeds, long-term care Medicaid, Medicaid estate recovery, and senior services. This free presentation is designed to give seniors and caregivers practical information to help prepare for life’s challenges and make informed decisions about the future. For more information, contact the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas at 903-218-6500 or 1-800-442-8845.
This summer, ETCOG Director of Aging Programs Adrian Cornejo welcomed an extraordinary experience into his home through his volunteer work with Creating Friendships for Peace (CFP). For one month, Adrian hosted two students from Cyprus, Michael and Derin, who came to East Texas through the CFP program. During their stay, the students shared a room in Adrian’s home, experienced daily life in the region, shadowed Adrian at ETCOG, and attended an ETCOG Executive Committee meeting. Creating Friendships for Peace brings young people from communities affected by longstanding divisions together for cultural exchange, dialogue, and relationship-building. Cyprus has been divided for decades between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, with a history of conflict and mistrust that can shape how young people see those from the other side of the island. Adrian said the experience gave him a deeply personal view of how division can affect young people and how meaningful it can be when they have the opportunity to connect outside of those divisions. “What I witnessed through these young men was difficult to process,” Adrian said. “Each of their societies has, in different ways, instilled distrust, division, and even hatred toward people on the ‘other side.’ Perhaps the most heartbreaking part is hearing that this begins when they are children.” Through his involvement with CFP, Adrian also hosted two young men from Israel for a few days, one Jewish Israeli and one Arab Israeli, who similarly came from communities shaped by complex social and political divisions. “This is not a political story,” Adrian said. “It is a personal reflection on what has been one of the most emotional and humbling experiences of my life. Hearing the students’ experiences made me realize just how much we take for granted here in the United States,” he said. “We have the freedom to think, to question, and to decide for ourselves what we believe and how we treat others.” For Michael and Derin, their time in East Texas offered an opportunity to see a different community, to witness regional collaboration in action as our elected officials voted on ETCOG business, and to build friendships beyond the boundaries and assumptions they may encounter at home. “I think words are too little to describe the last four weeks,” said Michael. “This month we became a family. I was talking with Derin, and I told him it feels like we are packing to go to vacation, not home.” “I want to thank Mr. Adrian for hosting us and being part of our destiny in this trip,” said Darin. “You are very hard working and care about us. I am very grateful for you taking us to San Antonio trip, for your work, and giving us opportunities to meet wonderful people…I wish to mature up and become a person like you one day wh helps everyone like you do.” Adrian said the friendships formed through CFP demonstrate that meaningful change often starts on a personal level. “Peace doesn’t begin with governments or political agreements,” Adrian said. “Sometimes, it begins with a conversation, a friendship, and the willingness to see another person as a human being rather than as a representative of ‘the other side.’” He added that he is grateful for the friendships and perspectives the students brought into his life. “I will carry their stories, their friendship, and what I learned from them with me for a very long time,” Adrian said. ETCOG is proud to recognize Adrian’s commitment to service and his willingness to share both his home and workplace with students participating in this important exchange for peace.
