NATCHEZ — Though summer has just begun for most students, a 58-years-young Natchez woman said she is looking forward to August as she walked home from work.

Linda Faye Daniel said she normally would not be walking in the hot sun down Government Fleet Road near Moo’s Barn and Grill, where The Dart landed Friday morning.

Daniel said she is used to walk for health, but this particular morning she was walking to earn a living with Turnley’s Cleaning Service.

She had to walk 5 miles from her residence that day because her ride to work was not available, she said.

Several cars and trucks passed by her as she walked, but Daniel kept to the grass by the shoulder of the road near the trees. 

Wary of accepting rides from strangers, Daniel said she’d rather brave the walk home.

“I don’t ever get in a car with anybody,” she said, “but I walk every day for exercise.”

Daniel said she did not mind the trek and soon she would not have to walk to work anymore.

“I’m getting ready to go to college — or go back,” she said.

Daniel said she attended nursing school at Delta Career College, Alcorn State University, and even tried going to cosmetology school.

Daniel’s short, bright red hair shaped her face so she looked half her age.

“Everybody thinks I’m younger,” she said. “(My hair) was prettier than this, but from me walking — sweat, sun — it all took my curls away.”

Daniel said she stopped going to school to raise her two daughters, both of whom now have children of their own.

“I have seven grandchildren,” she said proudly, “and two god-daughters — one with three kids and the other with one little boy.”

Daniel said she did not mind being a single mom. She worked to support her family while her girls went to daycare in her neighborhood, but now that her girls are grown, she said it is time for her to start a home business of her own.

Daniel enrolled to study business at Alcorn this August. She said others told her they believe 58 is too old to go to school. Still, she said her daughters and her employer have pushed her to further her education.

“You’re never too old to get an education,” Daniel said.