Something To Lean On

Gladys Raley is 72 and lives atop Parksville Knob in Boyle County, Kentucky. Although her life has been filled with her share of tragedy and lonliness, the community of Parksville, specifically some friendly faces at the local post office give her something to lean on. The post office and friends who supply her with t-shirts of her favorite singer, Billy-Ray Cyrus

Eager players wait for Debbie Pettijohn to call out the numbers of consequence at American Legion Bingo Night in Stanford, Kentucky

Gladys Raley lives atop Parksville Knob in Boyle County, Kentucky. With stories and a steel trap memory she stays connected to her community and fights the cold feelings of isolation that plagues many older citizens by spending her days at the Parksville Post Office chatting with those dropping off or picking up mail in the rural Kentucky town

Parksville Post Office's biggest fan Gladys Raley walks back into her house after coming home from the Post Office where a stool and cup of fresh coffee are waiting for her every morning. She stays connected to her community from her perch at the post office and proudly shows her allegience with stickers on her car

A difference of opinions arises at the Parksville Post Office as Billy Higden (far right) from nearby Lebanon, Kentucky, asks Post Master Larry Holbrook and volunteer post office greeter Gladys Raley (seated), for directions. The post office is only a small building, but it's a social hub for nearby residents

Gladys Raley now lives alone atop Parksville Knob in Boyle County, Kentucky. In the afternoons in between keeping up on reading her papers, she falls asleep for a few minutes. The cold isolation that many elderly citizens find themselves is fought by Gladys' resolve and determination to get out and visit with her friends. She spends half of every day posted at the Parksville post office on a stool with a cup of coffee in her hands keeping close to her rural community

Gladys Raley of Parksville, Kentucky, hugs and flirts at the American Legion Bingo Night in Stanford, starting with early-bird card player John Horney

Gladys Raley who lives atop Parksville Knob in Boyle County, Kentucky keeps reminders of happy days in her modest home. The stuffed animals are kept from a gift from her two daughters years earlier. A new car was stuffed with animals and toys as a birthday present to Gladys. Although now they collect dust and look a bit out of place, they are representations; tokens from the love of her family and communit

Gladys Raley is 72 and lives atop Parksville Knob in Boyle County, Kentucky. Although her life has been filled with her share of tragedy and lonliness, the community of Parksville, specifically some friendly faces at the local post office give her something to lean on