FERRIDAY, La. – Alex Green and Willie James Watkins began their lives working together and now they are spending their retired years the same way.

The pair spent their childhood working and living at the same plantation, and they now spend time volunteering at the Concordia Parish Senior Center in Ferriday.

&uot;Alex and I have been bumping together all our days,&uot; Watkins said.

The two attend the same church, St. James Baptist Church in Frogmore, where they were both baptized in 1941.

&uot;We’re like brothers — better than brothers,&uot;&160;Watkins said.

&uot;We’ve never had a fuss or nothing,&uot; Green said.

Both Green and Watkins assist with yard work at the senior center and also do other jobs that are needed.

&uot;Anything that comes up, I help them do it,&uot; Watkins said.

The work has an extra meaning for Watkins because he worked 11 years as a janitor at the senior center when the Concordia Parish School District used it as a school.

Watkins, 73, worked for the school district until his retirement.

&uot;I did his kind of work for 30-years,&uot; said Watkins, who joked that he knew every corner at the senior center. &uot;It’s just become a part of me.&uot;

Green, 71, also helps cooks some meals for the senior center, including pig barbecues.

&uot;I used to cook for everybody,&uot; said Green, who added that he grew up cooking.

Green and Watkins say they both enjoy spending time at the center and have a simple reason for volunteering.

&uot;You feel better when you’re doing something,&uot; Watkins said.