THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 1, 1995 TAG: 9505310134
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Florida Staton walks, runs and jumps better than most senior citizens.
The 76-year-old widow has the medals to prove it - 51 gold, silver and bronze awards earned in Golden Olympics and National Senior Olympics since 1985.
Recently, at the National Senior Olympics in San Antonio, she competed in the 75-to 79-year-old category, winning a bronze medal for the long jump, two fourth-place ribbons in the 100-meter run and 1,500-meter walk race.
She also competed in the 5k and 50-meter runs.
``In the National Olympics, she's up against world champions,'' said Madelaine Wilson, Suffolk's senior citizens coordinator who accompanied Staton.
It was Staton's fourth visit to the nationals. She also went to St. Louis, Syracuse and Baton Rouge.
To qualify for national competition, one must get medals in state competition. The Virginia event is going on in Williamsburg now. It continues through June 3.
Staton got five Golden Olympics gold medals in 1994.
Visiting nearby Williamsburg is no problem financially, but going to places like San Antonio adds up.
``The trip cost about $500,'' Staton said. She got some contributions, but Wilson paid her own way.
Staton, a Rocky Mount native with six children and ``right many'' grandchildren and great-grandchildren, has lived in Suffolk since she was 6 years old.
She went to work for Planters Peanuts in 1948, and retired as a machine operator after 35 years.
Staton said, ``I eat anything I want. I never gain. I'm in bed from 11:30 to 6. I get up early 'cause I can't just lay in bed. And, I've been walking all my life.''
She walks from 5th Street and East Washington Street, near a house she shares with a daughter, to the Senior Citizens Center on North Main Street, and back, every day, rain or shine.
At the Center, Staton is active with arts and crafts and works as a volunteer.
Away from the Center she spends a lot of time fishing.
``I went to the doctor some time ago, and he said he couldn't find anything wrong with me,'' she said. ``I told him, `I didn't intend for you to find anything wrong.' '' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Florida Staton, 76, won a bronze metal at the National Senior
Olympics.
by CNB