Adelia's treasure
story by Harrison Hill
A pair of furry chicken slippers shine in the light of a single lamp on the feet of Virginia Hensley as she reads her daily Bible verses before bed.
“I was richly blessed to have grown up in a Christian home with godly parents,” says Virginia. Now 85 years old, she stays closely tied with her religion and works at Adelia's, a local bakery and restaurant.
For Virginia, the simple life is enough for her.
Virginia was born and raised in Frankfort. She has worked at Adelia’s five days a week since it opened 12 years ago and is a crowd favorite.
“She is very well known in the community,” says David Hensley, Virginia’s son. “People come to Adelia’s every day to see her and check up on her.”
Pat Arnold has gone to Adelia's since it opened.
"Virginia is the center of a community family," he says.
Since she started working at Adelia’s in 2003, she has missed fewer than five days of work, her boss says.
When Virginia isn’t working at Adelia’s, she’s either hanging out at the senior center down the street or taking care of her Boston terrier, Jet, at home.
"It is amazing how much dogs can love people, and Jet loves me," says Virginia. "I think Jet would do anything to keep me safe."
Virginia goes to kiss her son, David, after serving him at Adelia's. "My kids are my everything," says Virginia.
During the annual Party Night at the Franklin County Senior Citizens Center, Virginia (center) dances with other senior citizens. Virginia dresses up as Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz" this year. "I picked Dorothy because I've been everything else," Virginia says.
Before heading to bed, Virginia reads her daily Bible verses in her living room with her dog, Jet. Virginia reads the Bible every evening.