One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 126 years of family serving family
Stella Graham, a food service worker at Fort Sam Houston, had a goal five years ago: continue working until she reached 50 years of service at the Exchange.
Graham, who is 88 and is still working, marks 53 years this October, and she has no plans to stop.
“There’s nothing to do at home,” she said.
When she tried retiring in 1994, it only lasted two months. Service is in her blood, and it runs in her family. Graham’s father and brother are veterans of the Greek military while her husband and grandson served in the U.S. military.
After serving in Vietnam, Graham’s husband retired and they moved to the Fort Sam Houston area in 1960; she’s been working at the Exchange there ever since.
Graham, who everyone calls “Mama,” works part time, several hours each workday. Her favorite part of the job is talking to military retirees and helping them get their coffee.
She epitomizes serving those who serve.
“Everyone thanks me while I’m working,” she said. “But I want to thank them for their service.”
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