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Praises flow at 102nd birthday party: Friends gather to toast woman who gives so much |
| BL » News » Praises flow at 102nd birthday party: Friends gather to toast woman who gives so much |
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October 30, 2003 |
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This article by Gretchen Rush (gretchen.rush@topics.com) was reprinted with permission from the Oct. 30, 2003, edition of Topics Newspapers in Indianapolis, Ind.
All dressed up in a navy-blue dress with white polka dots, Lola Laws was wheeled into her 102nd birthday party in style -- pearl necklace, matching gold earrings and brooch. She wore a silver crown filled with pink, green and blue jewels.
The dining room of the Greenbriar Rehabilitation Center was decked out for the Oct. 20 occasion, complete with orange, yellow, blue, green and purple balloons, banners and tablecloths.
"She's always been there for me," said Geneva Averett, Lola's guardian, who arranged the party. "She raised my husband, and when I went to work, she kept my children. Her mom lived until she was 90, and she took care of her. When she couldn't do for herself, I took over."
Averett considers herself Lola's niece, though they aren't related by blood.
When Lola turned 100, Averett threw a big blast for the century mark. Two years down the road, the atmosphere was a little more low-key, but Averett invited friends from a retirement home, fishing buddies and Greenbriar Rehabilitation Center residents. About 20 friends, family, staff and fellow residents gathered.
"I am kind of surprised we're here," Averett said. "She always told me she wouldn't make it, but here we are."
Barbara Woodard, who knew Lola from her avid fishing days, played strains of "Happy Birthday" on the piano while the rest of the crowd enjoyed butter cake or birthday cake and punch. The wife of a preacher, Lola loved church and trolling for catfish in the Wabash River and Eagle Creek. She volunteered for 25 years at Catholic Social Services and was still singing hymns at her 102nd birthday party.
"If she couldn't catch a fish, there weren't enough fish in the water," said Barbara Brooks, who often stayed up until 2 a.m. playing Lola's Skip-Bo partner at Andrew Gardens retirement home.
Samantha Spears, 90, began fishing with Lola in the 1960s. "She was ready to go whenever you mentioned it," Spears laughed.
Among her gifts -- wrapped in pink and green bags -- were three homemade rolls wrapped in a napkin from Pauline Johnson. As a tradition, Johnson, who also lived with Lola in the retirement home, would take her six fresh rolls each time she baked.
Doris Smith, who used to cast fishing poles with Lola, also [loves] her for her acts of kindness. "She was [always] a nice, kind person who cared for everybody," Smith said. "I don't think she [has ever] had any enemies."
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