THE INDEX, September ?, 1962

SENIOR CITIZENS HAVE A BIG DAY

                Another big day passed Sunday, Sept. 2, for the oldsters attending the 80-and-Over Day at Wheatland. The weather cooperated as clouds hid the sun most of the day, bringing relief from the heat.

                The beautiful white sanctuary of Wheatland Baptist Church was the scene of this 9^th annual occasion.

                Among those present were five of our senior citizens who have the age of 90 and there were 33 who were 80 years or more. Eleven couples who have been married over 50 years were present with five other couples being represented by the feminine members.

                Rev. Irvin E. Allen, serving as emcee, interviewed each of the honor guests while making a tape recording of their name, age and home address. Gifts were distributed during the interviewing.

·     ·     ·

                Those taking part in the program were seated in the choir pews, and were principally from the honor group.

                "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder", with Mrs. Nannie Jinkens at the piano, was sung by the audience, and following opening remarks by Rev. Allen, the invocation was given by Rev. J. E. Jones, 84, retired Methodist minister, Wheatland.

                Mrs. Stella Bryan, 86, Hermitage, read two poems, beginning appropriately with "Then and Now". Mrs. Grace Rogers, 82, Weaubleau, told how "My Get Up and Go Has Got Up and Went". Mrs. Alice Butler, 88, and Mrs. Bessie Kirk, Wheatland, sang "What A Friend We Have in Jesus". Mrs. Butler's brother, Joe Tipton, 85, Weaubleau, was to sing with her but he declined as his wife is hospitalized.

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                Mrs. Nellie Brown, 84, Preston, gave the poem "Slow Me Down, Lord"; Mrs. Mollie Paul, 84, Wheatland, read "You Tell Me I'm Getting Old" (written by a lady 89), and another poem. "Precious Lord, Hold My Hand" was chosen for a duet by Mrs. Mary Sue Goans, 90, soprano and Mrs. Nannie Brookshire, 88, alto, Weaubleau. Mrs. Edna Largent, 84, Wheatland, selected the reading "Keep Right on Knittin". W. L. Dorman, 85, and his wife, Dora, 80, Hermitage, sang a duet, "That Beautiful Name".

                A tribute to the deceased members of the past year was given by Florence Browning, Hermitage, who concluded with a poem "In Memory". Mrs. Nellie Mae Wilson, 84, Hermitage, ended the program with a reading, "Raising Flowers of Appreciation", and pronounced the benediction, followed by the audience singing "God Be With You Til We Meet Again".

·     ·     ·

                Tom Wilson, 94-year-old resident of near Quincy, received a prize for being the oldest man present, also one for the oldest man driving a car. Mrs. Martha Breshears, 92, Wheatland, received a gift for the oldest lady, also for the mother with the most children (8). Rev. Jones was the father present with the most children (6). Wes Carpenter, 89, and his wife, Nannie, 85, Weaubleau, were recognized as the couple married the longest, 66 years.

                The oldest person coming the longest distance was Mrs. Josie Matteson, 82, Richland. Driving the farthest was Mrs. LeNora Largent, 74, Muskogee, Okla. Attending from the farthest away was Mrs. Glessie Iiams, 75, Rocky Ford, Colo. All of the above received gifts.

                Refreshments were served during the social hour and some pictures were taken.

                Several had brought interesting heirlooms, but there was not enough time to show them to the audience. Recognition may be given at another time. Among them were a pair of scissors 200 years old, an old fashioned toaster, a baby dress and baby shoes 86 years old and a beautiful platter.

·     ·     ·

                In attendance in the 90-age group not otherwise mentioned: Cora Goodman, 90, Wheatland and Annie Palmer, 91, Weaubleau.

                The 80-group included Pearl Bandel, 80, Lora Meador, 80, Venia Breshears, 84, Zilla Jones, 81, Della Kelley, 84, Belle McCaslin, 82, May Vanderford, 83, all of Wheatland; Minta Hunt, 81, John Rogers, 84, Weaubleau; Mollie Paxton, 87, Elkton; Winifred Breazeale, 82, Bertha Sanders, 82, Hermitage; Gertie Davis, 83, Maggie Willett, 87, Cross Timbers; Eli Morton, 80, Green Ridge; John P. McCaslin, 83, Bolivar; Myrtle Martinson, 80, Monta Martin, 81, Richland.

                The wedding couples, other than the Carpenters, were Willie and Dora Dorman, 61 years, Ernest and Zilla Jones, 59, Eli and Della Morton, 59, John P. and Emma McCaslin, 53, Ira and Lou Moore, 54, Ed and Mrs. Nelander, 51, Marion and Ethel Parson, 54, Ewin and Ada Allen, 50, Dan and May Huffman, 57, Albert and Zola Jenkins, 53.

                Flowers for the occasion included two lovely bouquets of gladiolus brought by Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Wagoner of Bolivar.

                Helping Mrs. Nannie Jinkens to make the day a success were Mesdames Chloe Bain, Faye Allen, Goldie Holley, Alice Smith, Effie Olson, Bessie Kirk, Bernice Stutesman, Rosalee Foltz, Eunice Beem, Opal Chaney and Miss Frankie Bartshe, assisting with registering and serving.

                Death claimed 15 members since September of last year and four of the couples have been broken by death since that time.

                Registered for the occasion were 178 persons with each letter in the alphabet represented.

Springfield Daily News, October 1, 1962

This article was found in the Western Historical Manuscripts Collection-Columbia, Lucile Morris Upton, Papers, 1855-1986.

OVER THE OZARKS       EDITED BY LUCILE MORRIS UPTON

WITH OUR HISTORIANS, WRITERS AND POETS

80-AND-OVER DAY

      Our ninth 80-and-Over Day was held in the Wheatland Baptist Church Sunday Sept. 2. The "80 and Over" signifies you are a guest of honor if you are 80 years or over. The 80's and 90's are the entertainers, and every one is welcome to come and enjoy the program. The only thing we never seem to have is enough time.

      The Rev. Irvin Allen was our emcee and, due to having church and baptizing, he was a few minutes late. Everyone was so busy the time moved right along. Mr. Allen gave the opening remarks and the Rev. J. E. Jones, retired Methodist minister, offered prayer.

·     ·     ·

      There were five in the 90-year group: Tom Wilson, 94, Quincy; Mrs. Martha Breshears, 92, and Mrs. Cora Goodman, 90, Wheatland; Mrs. Annie Palmer, 91, and Mrs. Mary Sue Goans, 90, Weaubleau.

      There were 34 in the 80-year group: Mrs. Pearl Bandel, 80, Alice Butler, 88, Venia Breshears, 84, Ernest Jones, 84, Zilla Jones, 81, Della Kelly, 84, Edna Largent, 84, Miss Lora Meador, 80; Mrs. Belle McCaslin, 82, Mollie Paul, 84, Mrs. May Vanderford, 83, all of Wheatland; Mrs. Mollie Paxton, 87, Elkton; Mrs. Nannie Brookshire, 88, Wes Carpenter, 89, Mrs. Nan Carpenter, 85, Mrs. Lou Cox, 84, Mrs. Minta Hunt, 81, John Rogers, 84 (84, Sept. 12), Mrs. Grace Rogers, 82, Joe Tipton, 84, all of Weaubleau; Mrs. Stella Bryan, 86, Mrs. Winifred Breazeale, 81, Willie Dorman, 85, Mrs. Dora Dorman, 80, Mrs. Bertha Sanders, 82, and Mrs. Nellie May Wilson, 84, Hermitage; Mrs. Nellie Brown, 81, Preston; Mrs. Gertie Davis, 83, and Mrs. Maggie Willitt, 87, Cross Ridge; John T. McCaslin, 81, Bolivar; Mrs. Myrtle Martinson, 82, Monta Martin, 81, and Josie Matteson, 82, Richland. Elbert Bain reached his 80^th birthday Sept. 21, and has been a faithful attender of these events. He is from Elton.

      There were 11 couples who have had 50 or more years of wedded life: Wes and Nan Carpenter, 66 years, Willie and Dora Dorman, 61, Ernest and Zilla Jones, 59, Eli and Della Morton, 59 (Green Ridge), Ira and Lou Moore, 54, John P. and Emma McCaslin, 53, Bolivar, Ed and Naomi Nelander, 51, Walker, Marion and Ethel Parson, 54, Ewin and Alta Allen, 50, Weaubleau, Dan and May Huffman, 57, Jasper, Mo., Albert and Zola Jenkins, 53.

      Gifts were distributed to the 90's, 80's, and Golden Wedding couples along with special gifts for the oldest, etc. Tom Wilson, 94, of Quincy who drove his car the farthest, and also for being the oldest man present. The oldest lady was Mrs. Martha (Aunt Mat) Breshears, 92; longest married were Mr. and Mrs. Wes Carpenter, 66, from Weaubleau; person coming the longest distance, Mrs. Glessie Iiams, 75, Rocky Ford, Colo.; father of the most children, Mr. Jones, had six; mother of the most children was Mrs. Martha Breshears, having had eight.

      The program began with Mrs. Stella Bryan, 86, of Hermitage giving a reading, "Then and Now." Stella is alert, gardens, have lovely flowers, and sews pretty dresses for her granddaughters, also crochets many a beautiful doilie. Next was a poem by a Preston youngster, of 81, Mrs. Nellie Brown, which was titled, "Slow Me Down, Lord."

      Mrs. Grace Rogers, 82, of Weaubleau told how, "My Get Up and Go Has Got Up and Went" to an appreciative audience. Mrs. Alice Butler, 88, Wheatland, and a much younger lady, Mrs. Bessie Kirk, sang, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

      (Mrs. Butler's brother, Joe Tipton, usually sings with her, but due to his wife being in the hospital, Joe declined to sing.)

      Mrs. Molly Paul, 84, Wheatland, read, "You Tell Me I'm Getting Old," written by an 89 year old lady. (Mrs. Paul has been in the hospital several times during the past year, but is much better.) Mrs. Mary Sue Goans, 90, soprano, and Mrs. Nannie Brookshire, 88, alto, both of Weaubleau, sand, "Precious Lord, Hold My Hand," and they both sang beautifully. Willie and Dora Dorman, 85 and 80 respectively of Hermitage, sang "The Beautiful Name." We love to hear them sing. Willie also plays the organ.

      Mrs. Edna Largent, 84, a splendid reader, gave "Keep on Knittin." We enjoy her readings. Mrs. Florence Browning, postmaster at Hermitage, read the tribute to the deceased members and a reading, "In Memoriam." This is the sad part when we realize fifteen members had passed away since last September.

      Mrs. Nellie Mae Wilson, 84, of Hermitage gave a reading and the benediction. Nellie Mae is a gracious lady who is interested in living the best every day.

      One of our members, Mrs. Retta Graves, 94, had planned to be present and give a reading from memory, but she was in the home of her son in Omaha, Neb., and could not come. Will Palmer, 94, of Weaubleau, did not make it this year, as the heat had been pretty hard on him, although he is able to be out some and has his turnip patch sowed.

      Mrs. Palmer, 91, was there and looked quite alone without her husband who has been at her side for 71 years. She still teaches a Sunday school class at the Baptist Church at Weaubleau.

      Mrs. Mary Sue Goans and Mrs. Nannie Brookshire are still chipper and like to sing together. Mrs. Goans had several of her relatives present from Oklahoma and Clint Largent from Forsyth, who drove up for the day.

      Tom Wilson, 94, of Quincy is promptly on time driving his '52 Chevy the 15 miles and seems to enjoy every minute of it. He made a trip to California in a truck (tractor-trailer without the trailer) since last year. He went to visit his brother whom he had not seen for 40 years. He came home by train and arrived the night before the funeral of his daughter-in-law. Mrs. Wallace Wilson, of Camdenton, which was quite a shock for him.

      Mrs. Martha Breshears, 92, our traveler, has been gadding again this year visiting her daughters in Iowa and Indiana. She is quite alert and lives alone in her trailer. She likes to visit and thinks it is good for one to get away from home.

      Mrs. Cora Goodman was 91 September 22 and enjoys her friends and neighbors. She is alone in her home here now. She enjoyed a recent visit from her daughter, Mrs. Ethel Heard, of Moran, Kan. She has a few miles behind her during the past year, too. One of our youngsters, T. M. Selvidge, who will be 89, Oct. 11, was not present this year, due to waiting for a visit from his daughter, Mrs. Jessie Burrell, of Springfield, who had just returned from a trip to Europe.

      The Carpenters from Weaubleau enjoy these special days and have attended every year since 1957. He is approaching 90 and she is nearing 86.

      Alice Butler will soon have her 89^th birthday. She attends Sunday school, church, and mid-week prayer meetings, singes in the choir, walks to the post office every day, has her garden and is about the only one in town who grows pole beans.

      Mrs. Mary Foster of Lowry City will celebrate her 97^th birthday Nov. 9. She lives with her daughter and they decided there would be too much traffic on the road for them to come this year. Another of our 92 year members has poor health, Charles Siems, of St. Louis.

·     ·     ·

      We should give proper tribute to those who have gone from our midst this past year. Mrs. Olive Coberley, 94, blind and deaf, sang songs from memory that were hundreds of years old. Max Hunter recorded several of her songs. She died March 1. Stella Blair, 93, passed on Feb. 9, at Bolivar. Mrs. Etta Chaney who was approaching the century mark on June 1, died March 24. John Crates, 96 in September last year one of our well loved neighbors, went on in January; Mrs. Margaret Breshears of Warsaw died soon after her 95^th birthday March 16. Miss Florence Mabery, 88, went on in April; Mrs. Bertha Bartshe, 80, July 5; Mrs. Hattie Bartshe, 88, Oct. 8; Mrs. Dora Blackwell, 81, Mar. 4; Mrs. Effie Hickman, 81, Aug. 4; L. E. McShane, 84, of Flemington, died Dec. 3; Mrs. Bertie Tipton, 80, May 2; Mrs. Etha (Brent) Moore, 79; Mrs. Bertha (Ketchum) Tipton, 80, Mrs. Ruby Browning, 78, and Mrs. Dora Blackwell, 81. The last four mentioned are the ladies whose passing broke the Golden Wedding couples. It brings sadness to our hearts.

      The husband of one of our older deceased members was too feeble to attend this year. Will Tipton and his wife, Bertha, have been one of our happiest couples and have faithfully attended. They reared eight children and have been ready to lend a hand to help a neighbor.

      Flowers for the occasion included two lovely bouquets of gladiolus brought by Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Wagner of Bolivar. Mr. Wagner says he grows them while he rests.

·     ·     ·

      More are in attendance each year and many come from a distance. We had three special guests from Richland this year, also from Walker, Mo., came a Golden Wedding couple that had been married in British Columbia in 1911.

      We usually have an offering to help defray the expenses of the gifts and refreshments. We managed to have a few cents left from last year, but we never seem to come out ahead and have to cut corners most of the time. The gifts and refreshments are not elaborate, but it is wonderful to get together each year, and we hope to have many more years of enjoyment for the oldsters and others who attend. Some have already sent contributions to help out next year and are looking forward to another time. There were about 180 in attendance this year.

      We dismissed with a song by the audience, "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again," had a short visiting period and were on our way home again without enough time to visit around or see the heirlooms which many brought with them. We hope to plan for a display of them in the future as many were priceless and rare items.

Best wishes to everyone,

NANNIE JINKENS,

Wheatland

      P. S. I want to say a big "Thank You" to every one who helped in any way and to those who have written cards, notes, and letters of encouragement and appreciation of this special event. I must not forget Mrs. Upton who has been so gracious to give us space in her column and put the notices in the paper, also to the paper for sending us a reporter this year.

Posted 22 Dec 2006 and 20 May 2007 by Ginny Sharp

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