Constance King-Meredith, a vibrant resident at the Meadows Atrium, has led a life rich with adventure, resilience, and travel. Born in January 1948, Constance, now 76, has traveled to every state in the continental U.S. except Alaska and Hawaii. Her adventures, however, extend far beyond state lines.
Constance was born and raised in Guyana before moving to New York at age 15. She attended Thurgood Marshall High School in Harlem, and lived just behind the iconic Apollo Theater, where she would occasionally sneak in to catch performances. After high school, Constance worked at a factory in Long Island, which manufactured bolts and nuts for the Apollo spaceflight program. It was there that she met her future husband, William “Brother Bill,” and the two formed a deep connection through their shared love of adventure. In 1972, they tied the knot at a wedding chapel in Las Vegas and spent much of the 1970s in Los Angeles, working at a garment factory and soaking up the city’s lively culture. However, due to her husband’s worsening eye condition caused by the smog, they eventually relocated to Pittman, Nevada, where they worked at a bar and a retirement home.
In 1976, Constance and her husband moved to Columbus, Ohio, to pursue new opportunities. She attended nursing school during the day while working night shifts, earning her BSN in 1980. Upon graduation, the couple moved to New Orleans, where Constance worked as a registered nurse at Methodist Hospital. They fell in love with the city, its rich cuisine, and the joy of traveling together. New Orleans was their home for nearly 30 years.
However, their lives took a dramatic turn in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck. The hurricane devastated New Orleans, and Constance, her husband, and her mother were evacuated to San Antonio by the National Guard. Constance experienced the destruction firsthand, as the hospital she worked at was destroyed. She and her colleagues were evacuated by helicopter, and she suffered a knee injury during the rescue that eventually led to a knee replacement. The family’s home on the East Side of New Orleans was also lost to the flood, with nearly everything inside destroyed. The only things salvaged were Constance’s passport and a few wedding photos, thanks to a friend’s efforts.
After their evacuation, Constance’s family stayed at Kelly Air Force Base for a month before settling into an apartment in San Antonio’s Medical Center. Due to widespread corruption hindering the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans, they chose not to return. Constance took a position as an OB/GYN nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital, and they eventually moved to the Callahan area. After a decade in San Antonio’s Medical Center, Constance retired in 2013. Following the passing of her mother and husband, Constance relocated to a one-bedroom apartment.
Facing loneliness after losing her family, Constance began participating in Jefferson Outreach Services for seniors. It was there that she met Randy, a former marketing director at The Meadows, who saw how isolated she felt and encouraged her to explore Morningside at The Meadows. Constance toured several retirement communities in San Antonio but found many places where the residents seemed disengaged. In contrast, Morningside stood out with its vibrant atmosphere, spacious facilities, and friendly residents like Kiki, who made her feel welcome. Constance chose Morningside for its sense of community and the opportunity to be surrounded by friendly neighbors instead of living in isolation.
An avid traveler, Constance’s advice to others is simple: “Don’t wait to travel—go while you’re young.” She believes that you should explore the world while you have the energy and ability, as it becomes more challenging with age. She and her husband lived by this philosophy, traveling extensively throughout the 1970s and 80s across the US as well as to places like Canada, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad. Reflecting on her travels, her favorite states are those with the best food in her opinion: New York, Louisiana, California, Nevada, Maryland, and Alabama. Constance’s journey is a testament to living fully, embracing new experiences, and finding joy and connection wherever life may lead.
