By: Christopher Quinn, Communications Volunteer

During lunch, Zenobia Taylor teased 78-year-old Creasy Walker, one of the regulars at the South DeKalb Senior Center in metro Atlanta, for sprinkling packs of sugar on her rice.

You must not be from rural Georgia, where sugar on rice is the norm, Walker shot back before Taylor stood and walked back to her office, from where she manages the center.

She was there only moments before another lunch guest rushed in and told Taylor that Walker was choking.

“I didn’t hesitate,” Taylor said. She had received American Red Cross training to help in such situations two years before. Taylor moved quickly to Walker’s side, where another guest had unsuccessfully tried first aid for choking, which can force a blockage out of the person’s air passage. Walker was sitting over her plate of meatballs and sugared rice, struggling to breathe.

The training that Red Cross provided to Taylor kicked in. She said, “I quickly stood her up and gave her abdominal thrusts.”

Gertha Lowe-Ward, the senior center management supervisor, had followed Taylor out of the office and was dialing 911 as Taylor acted.

“Zenobia was not nervous. She just jumped right in,” Lowe-Ward said. “When you have the training, you never think you would have to use it. But when something like that happens, you jump in and do what you have to do.”

Taylor’s first attempt at the first aid technique was not successful. It was the first time Taylor had ever tried it outside of her Red Cross training, so she was not sure how hard to squeeze Walker’s abdomen to force the chunk of meatball out. She tried several more times, noticing that Walker was growing heavier in her arms, losing her ability to stand up. A final attempt forced out the piece of meat.

After dislodging the stuck food, Taylor and Lowe-Ward seated Walker and stayed with her until they were sure she was out of distress and breathing normally.

Walker later said, “I call her my earthly angel.”

Taylor has helped Walker through several mishaps, including a slip and fall.

“Every time something happens to me, it’s like she just appears up where I am at,” Walker said.

Taylor had the training two years before the choking incident and said, “Thank God for it.”

“I didn’t ever think I would use it. I am glad I knew it. And I am glad to know that if something was to happen at home with the kids or grandkids that I have this training, or even if it was a bystander in a restaurant. You never know, and it is so good to have.”

The Red Cross recognized Taylor and Lowe-Ward in April 2025 for their quick thinking, courage and action, and gave each an American Red Cross Lifesaving Award. The award acknowledges acts of courage and preparedness in emergencies, highlighting the importance of training in potentially lifesaving situations.

The Red Cross provides a variety of lifesaving training to businesses, governments, organizations and individuals, such as CPR, First Aid, Advanced Life Support and Water Safety. Find training which could help you save a life here.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information or to donate to the Red Cross, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on Twitter at @RedCross.