ELIZABETHTOWN — Tuesday was a special day for Lillie Melvin of White Oak. During a ceremony at the Bladen County Senior Center, the Bladen County native celebrated her 99th birthday with family and friends.
Melvin was born March 7, 1918, in White Oak and spent her adult years as a homemaker to three daughters — Willa, Judith and Freida. She still lives with her daughter Willa in White Oak, but has visited the Senior Center every Tuesday and Thursday for 13 years.
“She’s very active in crafts and enjoys going on trips we have,” said Carol Mitchell, director of the Senior Center. “Miss Lillie is always smiling, quite energetic and in a cheerful, positive mood.”
Melvin said she can’t really give credit for her long life to anything specific.
“I just take every day as it comes,” she said.
But Melvin is looking forward to something down the road.
“Today is like any other day,” she said about her 99th birthday, “but I’m really looking forward to 100 — and beyond.”
Melvin’s daughter, Willa, however, said her mother practiced several simple things throughout her life that has helped her get to 99.
“She always believed in God, ate healthy and she always kept moving — something she still does,” Willa said. “She never drank or smoked. I’m just so proud of her and how she still gets around and her mind is very sharp.
“We’re all so blessed to have our mom all these years,” she added. “And she instilled those traits in each of us. I think we’re all hoping we can follow her lead.”
The celebration at the Senior Center included a number of games, some music and, of course, cake and ice cream. Prior to the celebration, Melvin was crowned and given a red ribbon that showed her as the birthday girl.
During the celebration, a list of items that took place or were facts during 1918 were read. Those included: Chinese Year of the Horse; Nelson Mandela was born; Sam Walton was born; Daylight Savings Time was started; Louie Armstrong was married; $1 in 1918 equals $17.62 now; shoes cost 69 cents to $1.89; men’s ties cost 38 to 75 cents; bacon cost 40 cents per pound; butter cost 49 cents per pound; bread was 10 cents per loaf; coffee cost 89 cents for 3 pounds; lettuce cost 10 cents per head; a refrigerator cost between $14 and $24; tomato plants cost $2 for 1,000; and a newspaper cost 2 cents.
Joining Melvin at the celebration were her three daughters, her granddaughter Javon Jackson and niece Angela Wyche. Melvin’s husband Elder passed away in 1987.
W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.
