At 105, Still Looking Forward
How Community, Curiosity, and Care Have Shaped the Life of Mr. Briggs
When Mr. Briggs talks about the future, it is easy to forget that he recently celebrated his 105th birthday.
Sitting in the home where he has lived for decades, he speaks with the same curiosity that inspired him as a science teacher years ago. Long before computers became household essentials, he was telling his students that one day every home would have one. Long before modern kitchen technology became commonplace, he was explaining how innovations like microwave ovens would change daily life.
“He was always ahead of his time,” said his daughter, Bonita (pictured above). “Whatever the newest gadget was, he had it.”
For nearly 60 years, Mr. Briggs has called Winston-Salem home. What has kept him here is not just the climate he enjoys or the rolling landscape of North Carolina’s Piedmont region. It is the people. It is the friendships. It is the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a community. That community has been central to his life since arriving in the 1960s. His neighborhood, Monticello Park, was home to educators, principals, and professionals who built lasting relationships and supported one another. Even today, many of those connections remain strong.
For his daughter, those relationships have always been part of what makes growing up and getting older in Forsyth County special. A lot of my girlfriends, even to this day, are from this community,” she said. “We’re still close.”
As the years passed and Mr. Briggs’ needs changed, in time another community stepped forward to provide support: Senior Services. The family’s connection began through a fellow caregiver who introduced them to the Williams Adult Day Center. What they found there was more than a program. They found a place where Mr. Briggs became known, welcomed, and valued.
“I feel like the Day Center is a wonderful resource for our community,” Bonita said. “There are so many kind people that work there. They knew my dad. They were happy to see him when he came in. They always included him in activities, and they were always welcoming.”
The care extended beyond daily activities. If Mr. Briggs missed a visit, staff checked in. If schedules changed, they stayed connected. Those seemingly small acts offered reassurance and peace of mind for a family navigating the realities of aging.
The family has also benefited from Meals-on-Wheels, a service Bonita describes as “absolutely phenomenal.” She says that Senior Services staff coordinate with caregivers, communicate consistently, and even take extra measures during winter weather to ensure participants have what they need.
For the Briggs family, the program’s impact extended far beyond meal delivery. One day, a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer arrived at Mr. Briggs’ home to deliver his daily meal. When he didn’t answer the door, the volunteer became concerned. Rather than simply leaving, the volunteer took an extra moment to check on him. Looking through a window, the volunteer spotted Mr. Briggs’ foot on the floor. He had fallen and was unable to get up.
The volunteer immediately alerted Senior Services, which quickly contacted Bonita. Because of the volunteer’s attentiveness and quick action, help arrived quickly, and what could have become a much more serious situation was avoided.
It is a reminder that Meals-on-Wheels is about much more than a meal. For many older adults, the daily visit provides an important wellness check and a vital connection to the community. Sometimes, that connection can be lifesaving.
“They never miss,” said Bonita. “They’re very consistent.”
For families caring for aging loved ones, that reliability provides more than support. It provides peace of mind.
