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Thunderbolt May 2016
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At 82, ‘Mama’ keeps serving soldiers, retirees at Fort Sam

Courtesy photo JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT “And if she’s not here, customers will ask
SAM HOUSTON — At 82, an age when about her,” Wilson-Granvle said.
Stella Graham, 82, has been part of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service family at most Americans have long settled into
Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston for nearly 48 years. Graham, affectionate- retirement, Stella Graham keeps working, Graham’s favorite part of her job is talk-
ly known as ‘Mama,’ arrived at Fort Sam Houston in 1968 after her husband’s service as she has for decades at Joint Base San ing to retirees every morning and helping
in Vietnam and has dedicated her career to serving Soldiers, families and retirees. Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. them get their coffee. She also relishes the
chance to talk to active-duty members.
For nearly 48 years, Graham has stayed
true to her mission of serving military “I love their uniforms,” Graham said. “My
members, families and retirees at Fort father, my brother, my husband — they all
Sam through her part-time job with the wore the uniform. God bless them.”
Army & Air Force Exchange Service. Her
servant’s heart keeps her young and is a Even though she’s 82, Graham isn’t slow-
testament to the Exchange’s core value of ing down. Her dedication to doing her job,
family serving family. and doing it well, makes her an exemplary
associate, Wilson-Granvle said.
“I like helping, giving back and giving
words of encouragement,” said Graham, “She’s here early and willing to stay late,”
who works at the Exchange’s food court Wilson-Granvle said. “She’s faithful and
at Fort Sam. loyal. Her co-workers have nothing but
respect for her.”
The San Antonio resident has spent her
entire career in food service at the Fort Sam Graham tried to retire once, back in
Exchange. Her husband served in the Army, December 1994. Her retirement lasted just
and he brought her to Fort Sam in 1968, two months. She returned to the Exchange
after he returned from Vietnam. Since then, because, as a former military spouse, she
Graham has dedicated her career to serving loved the connection with the military.
Soldiers, families and retirees.
When she’s not working, Graham spends
“Everyone knows her,” said Marjorie time playing bingo and checking on her
Wilson-Granvle, Fort Sam Food Court daughter and son-in-law, both of whom
manager, who has been Graham’s boss have physical disabilities that require them
since 2007. “Everyone calls her ‘Mama.’ I to use wheelchairs.
started it, and everyone picked up on it.”
When it comes to her job at the Exchange,
Graham works several h2o1u11r9s1eAv0e1ry week- Graham says she wants to continue work-
day. Her duties include preparing salads, ing until she reaches 50 years of service.
baking bread and ensuring the dining room
is ready for customers. “I can handle anything that comes my
way,” she said.

Courtesy of AAFES

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