January 26: Lila Ryals

What Would Mama Do? Growing Up an “Almost” Orphan

Lila’s mother died days before Lila’s ninth birthday. Her dad abandoned the two youngest of his six children. Lila and her younger brother were left on their own to look after themselves: feeding, health care, schooling, and everything else. Lila and her brother struggled daily, but their fierce love for their lost mama, God, and each other saw them through.

Lila Marie Ryals lives in Fairhope, Alabama, still in the small cottage on North Summit Street. At age 91, she is happy and healthy (probably due to her early years of hard work, lots of walking, and eating fruits and vegetables). If you’re out and about in the early mornings, you may see her… she still walks about five miles a day around Fairhope!