This afternoon a reception will be held to honor the 110th birthday of Mrs. Amanda Roberts Jones of Cedar Creek, Texas. The reception will go on without the birthday girl, who died just two days after her birthday, on Thursday. She was pleased that day with the arrival of a new dress for her to wear for the reception in her honor.
Who is Mrs. Jones? She was the daughter of a slave. Her father told stories of his work in cotton fields and picking vegetables on different plantations. She relished the victory of Barack Obama in November, because he was successful in winning the White House as a black man. "She thought it was wonderful that she had lived to see an African-American become president. She was thankful she got to see that," said granddaughter Brenda Baker. That quote from an article in the Houston Chronicle.
She is remembered as a faithful voter for 70 years. She was a young woman in 1920 when women were given the vote. After voting for Obama she was interviewed by NPR and by Good Morning America.
She was the mother of 10 children, with 32 grandchildren, 65 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren. She and her late husband were the first black business owners in the community of Cedar Creek. They owned a country store.
She had a strong faith in God and credited Him with her long life.
It is too bad that the state of Texas doesn't have records on how many Texans are 100 years old or older. All deserve recognition. Every life has a story to tell.
For those celebrating: Sunset tonight begins Chanukah. Happy Chanukah. Shalom.
3 comments:
Amazing lady. Amazing post. Thanks for sharing her with us.
Wow - truly extraordinary. My paternal grandfather died 3 weeks after his 100th birthday. He was one of 5 children and the only one to live past 65.
Even his son, my dad, died before he did.
Strong as a ox.
It's nice to hear about people like that. Thanks.
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