Dorris is 80 years old, and has been a widow the past 11 years. She has one daughter, two sons, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She has been a Missouri resident all of her life. She had not been told (or had forgotten) that the Successful Aging Project would be calling, but she was willing to be interviewed anyway.

Going to the Senior Center is an almost every day event for Dorris, and she is very active in her roles there. She is on four different boards at the center. In addition, she has been the Treasurer of OATS for fifteen years. "It's nice that they think that I'm honest enough to be treasurer," she says. "I've been the treasurer for 15 of the 17 years that OATS has been in existence. When it comes time to purchase a new bus, we'll have enough money collected to do it." Dorris says that the center is like her -- active.

Dorris plays cards at the center daily and once a week in the evening with a different group. She is active in organizing 'carry-in' dinners, evening pot luck meals that are followed by a dance. Dorris says, "I'm not home very much. I'm very active." In addition, Dorris participates in church activities and goes to the Senior Center in St. Joseph on Saturday nights to dance. She is also part of a square dancing group that meets every Thursday. This group puts on demonstrations at area nursing homes. Dorris says, "I feel good about what I'm doing. It's a lot better than sitting at home all of the time."

Originally, Dorris became involved with the center because her husband went there while she was still working at the bank. Prior to retirement, she worked at two different banks for many years. When asked to describe what is "really you," Dorris responded, "I like to dance and play cards, and I do both at the Senior Center. I'm not particular. I just like everything that I do." Dorris' advice to other seniors for successful aging is to "be active and Go! Go! Go!"

When asked why she felt she being nominated for the successful aging project, Dorris replied, "I feel that everyone at the center is eligible. I have worked at two banks, and I think everyone thinks well of me."