Phil Campbell woman celebrates 100 years
By Bart Moss for the FCT
March 20, 1917, three American merchant ships were sunk, prompting President Woodrow Wilson to call an emergency meeting of his cabinet where they came to an agreement that war with Germany was going to be necessary, thus marking America’s entrance into World War I.
Also on that day, Elva Lou Stidham was born, and Sunday she celebrated her 100th birthday at First Baptist Church in Phil Campbell with family and dozens of friends and well-wishers.
The most common question among the many people who stood in line to wish Stidham a happy birthday was, “What is the secret?”
“I just live each day,” said Stidham. “I love the Lord, and I try to do right. I put my faith in God. I go to church and I try to live right. I’ve always tried to teach my family to do what’s right.”
Stidham is also a big believer in the old-fashioned, home cooked, garden-based meals.
“I consider myself a vegetarian. I’ll eat meat every now and then but mostly vegetables,” she said. “We grew up eating out of a garden. My mom taught me how to grow my own food.”
“I like sweets too – don’t get me wrong,” she added. “I don’t think there is a special formula or secret. You just don’t overdo anything.”
Stidham sat for more than an hour as visitors stopped by to talk to her and wish her a happy birthday.
The Franklin County Times would like to extend Stidham a very happy 100th birthday. Congratulations on a life well-lived.
