Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Mike Barnhardt

Davie County Enterprise Record

Azalee Stockton remembers her mother telling her to slow down.

They would be walking somewhere, and Azalee would be way out in front.

“My mother used to say, ‘Slow down. We’re all going to the same place’.”

Well, she hasn’t slowed down.

And not only does she still walk quickly, she walks a lot, and regularly wins contests through Davie Senior Services in the daily “Senior Trotters” walking program. The Brock Gym on North Main Street in Mocksville is open for senior citizens top walk from 8-10 a.m. Monday-Friday.

Stockton is usually there at 8. And she’s usually still walking at 10, maybe even later.

She’s quick to stress that it’s not a competition, walking is just something she has always enjoyed. Even before senior services opened the Brock to walkers, Stockton, often accompanied by friend Hazel Dillard, would walk 8-10 miles daily around town. “We would walk on tracks, walk up town. We would walk anywhere.

“I want to keep healthy,” she said, deferring when asked her age. She is a graduate of Central Davie Academy. “I’m out here every day. I haven’t missed a day other than vacation.”

She estimates she walks 250-300 laps around the gym a day.

“I love it. It’s level and smooth. When I get tired, I quit. Sometimes I’m out here for five hours.”

Stockton is retired from Hanes, and yes, she participated in a fitness program there. A walking trail at her workplace was a favorite place.

“Several people said I have been a motivation for them to get started walking, and that makes me feel good,” she said.

She gives Dillard and Priscilla Williams for getting her into senior services activities after her husband died. “They though it would be good therapy for me since I’m a people person.”

It was.

And Davie Senior Services is a beneficiary.

Stockton and Dillard regularly attend the meals, bingo and other special events, usually offering to help the staff in any way they can. They like bingo, crafts, movies, healthy food club, volleyball, kickball, theater trips and more.

On Wednesdays and Fridays, they serve lunch to the nutrition program clients.

“It’s good for you,” Dillard said. “It improves your health and you get to meet new people. Exercise helps to clear your mind.”