Love has kept us together . We have had some good times .
The Shaw Gladiators play board games three days a week at the Ryce Center . The pictured members are Jean Sailor , Ossie Wilson , Dorothy
Blount , Erie Wiley , Pat Snead , Irma Moss and Earnestine Williams .
The Shaw Gladiators ’ largest membership number was 40 members in its operation . The membership has decreased due to members gradually passing . Now continuing its third decade in operation , the organization has about 10 active members . The organization ’ s oldest members are Earnestine William , 96 , Ernie Wiley , 94 , and Fannie Brinson , 91 . The other remaining members are Sailor , Ossie Wilson , Blount , Evelyn Williams , Shirley D . Williams , Irma Moss and Pat Snead .
Snead joined the group in 2021 after battling cancer .
“ I was just sitting home , and I kept seeing them in the newspaper . One day I said , I ’ m going to go up here and see what they do just to get out of the house . I visited with another lady , and it went from there ,” Snead said .
Love has kept us together . We have had some good times .
— Jean Sailor
The Shaw Gladiators struggled to transition between different directors over the years and ultimately has not had a director from the Moultrie-Colquitt County Recreation Authority in two years .
Snead stepped up to lead the ladies for the past two years . She often arrives at the Ryce Community Center early to set up their weekly two-hour scheduled games on Monday , Wednesday and Friday at 9 a . m .
“ We wouldn ’ t even be here if it weren ’ t for Pat because we ’ re not able to get up early and come get set up , and that ’ s the only way we ’ re able to keep on going ,” Sailor said as members nodded in agreement .
The ladies have created life-long friendships through their weekly social meetings . They attend
JULY 2023 MoultrieScene 35