Entertaining at AutumnLeavesRetirementCenter Wednesday afternoon in honor of resident Gloria Shouse’s 95th birthday was Ms. Texas Senior America, Jill Beam.
BubbleLife guest contributor, Shelia Huffman, along with her sisters, Terry Gwynne and Anna Brinker, hosted the birthday party for their mother.
“Mom has always loved singing and dancing and we thought that a song and dance routine would be a great way to say ‘Happy Birthday, Mom,’” Forest Hills resident Anna Brinker said.
What better choice to deliver the message than Jill Beam, the reining Ms. Texas Senior?
Jill performed the talent that helped win her the Ms. Texas Senior title for Gloria and friends at the Autumn Leaves party— a baton twirling, singing, dancing routine of “I don’t want to show off no more” from “The Drowsy Chaperone.”
“Mother and I saw the musical ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ together on Broadway and we loved it. When I decided to enter the pageant, I chose to perform it for my talent,” Jill told the audience.
“Mother” is Dallas icon — Rose Mary Rumbley — and Jill’s father was the late Jack Rumbley, legendary drummer and band director, so it is no surprise that Jill is loaded with talent.
Jill graduated from EastTexasStateUniversity with a BS in Elementary Education and Recreation. She also holds a degree from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in Gerontology. She began her employment with the DallasPark and Recreation Department, where she recently retired after 28 years of being the Events and Reservations Manager, reserving more than 408 parks. During the last eight years of employment with the City of Dallas, Jill lead the City Manager's Customer Service Initiative and she trained more than 13,000 employees.
Since retiring, Jill has continued teaching jazzercise and working with retirement and recreation centers.
She is available to perform for corporate and private parties and actively promotes the Ms. Texas Senior America Pageant.
The Ms. Texas Senior America Pageant has been in existence for more than 25 years. The pageant's goal is to enrich and empower the lives of all seniors and promote the senior woman in all her glory. The Ms. Texas Senior America Pageant seeks recognition of their achievements, motivating, and encouraging them to attain their full potential. These ladies come from all walks of life and they all have a story to tell.
“You must be 60 years old to enter the pageant,” Jill said. She encouraged anyone interested to consider entering.
The pageant champions healthy aging, wellness, and mental well-being, and the contestants exemplify the "positive image of aging," re-defining the senior woman.
Following Jill’s performance, birthday cake and Wassail were served.
It was a delightful and uplifting birthday party for Gloria, enjoyed by her friends from Autumn Leaves as well as friends from Central Christian Church. Gloria’s sister, Richardson resident Wanda Wagoner, and niece, Karen, also attended the party. The family continued the celebration with dinner at Mi Cocina’s in Lakewood where Anna’s husband, Craig Brinker, and Gloria’s granddaughter, Danielle Hull, joined them.
If you are interested in the Ms. Texas Senior American pageant, contact drsynthiawest@yahoo.com.