Surrounding Alline Hopkins Lunceford (seated, center) to help celebrate her 100th birthday are all of her great-grandchildren, (on floor, l-r) Anna Elizabeth Wren, Heather Katherine Lunceford, Andrew Tyler Lunceford, Stephen Roger Lunceford and (behind Stephen) William Joseph Bennett; (next row) Robert (Bobby) Reville holding Benjamin Elim Bennett, Kaitlin Alline Bennett, Jessica Laurel Bennett, Destiny Ann Long, William Nathaniel Wren and Zachary James Bennett; (standing in back) Nicholas A. Reville. Mrs. Joseph Elim (Alline Hopkins) Lunceford was joined by a host of family and friends in celebration of her 100th birthday on Saturday, June 17, at a "One-Hundred Year Celebration" given by her daughter, Rose Lunceford Bennett and her family at Clark's Station Baptist Church.

Mrs. Lunceford, born June 20, 1906, is the oldest living member of Clark's Station Baptist Church and served there in many capacities as clerk, pianist, WMU leader, Sunbeam leader and Sunday School teacher for over 50 years.

Upon her arrival at the celebration Mrs. Lunceford was pinned with a beautiful corsage handmade by her daughter.

Everyone then gathered for a time of greeting and an awe-inspiring photo session.

Frances Lunceford Leeds, her cousin-in-law, read an insightful and loving account of her first meeting Mrs. Lunceford telling of her years at Hogue School at Jackson's Crossroads where Mrs. Lunceford was her first and second grade teacher.

After the reading Mrs. Lunceford's grandson, Joseph Bennett, read a letter from President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. Mr. Bennett then added his own humorous "P.S."

Following the blessing given by her grandson-in-law, Rev. Michael Wren, a delicious Southern meal of barbecue, slaw, baked beans and iced tea was served by her grandchildren, Amy and Will Long. After lunch, great-grandson, Bobby Reville, accompanied everyone on his keyboard as they sang a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday Great-Grandma".

A special table held the beautiful birthday cake decorated with red, white and pink roses and centered with "Happy 100th Birthday Grandma." The cake was served by daughter, Rose Bennett, and her daughter-in-law, Laurie Bennett. A table was also set up for old photos and family memorabilia.

Granddaughter Sabrina Bennett manned the camera for the new photo session and grandson Jim Bennett greeted guests assisted by grandsons, Joe and Jon Bennett. Donna Bennett helped with the guest register and name tags.

The church fellowship hall was decorated with many spring bouquets. Miniature gift bags holding tiny silk roses in varied colors were placed on each table. Also on each table were many funny and delightful birthday cards made by students from Washington-Wilkes Primary School where Mrs. Lunceford's granddaughter, Amy Long, teaches. Many-colored balloons were interspersed throughout the room to the delight of all the children.

In addition to Mrs. Lunceford's sister-in-law, Mary Lunceford Gunter of Washington, and cousin, Frances Lunceford Leeds of Fayetteville, N.C., joining the celebration were grandchildren, Laurie and Joe Bennett III of Sugar Hill, Sabrina and Jon Bennett, Donna and Jim Bennett, Will and Amy Bennett Long, all of Washington, Jane and Wayne Lunceford of Winterville and Michael and Angela Lunceford Wren of Louisville, Ky.; great-grandchildren, William Joseph and Benjamin Elim Bennett, Kaitlin Alline Bennett, Jessica Laurel and Zachary James Bennett, Nicholas and Bobby Reville and Destiny Long, Andrew Tyler, Stephen, Roger and Heather Katherine Lunceford, and William Nathaniel and Anna Elizabeth Wren; her nephew, Bernard Wilson (Skip) Hopkins and wife Vickie of Roswell; other nieces and nephews, Mack and Susan Gunter Chafin and daughter, Wendi Harper of Washington, Vicki and Roger Lunceford of Conyers, Linda Cason Threlkeld of Comer, Rollie and Marianne Cason Johnson of Macon, Ralph and Jane Lunceford Gnann of Springfield, Scotty and Betty Sherrer Smith and Norma Sherrer Combs of Martinez, and her daughter, Krista LaRussa of North Augusta, S.C.; Gail Thornhill Brabham and son Dallas Simmons of Roanoke, Va., Frank Thornhill of Charlotte, N.C., and daughter, Nancy Thornhill Nicks and husband, Darden, of Boca Raton, Fla., Jane Collins Palmer and daughter Pamela of Athens, Melynda Lewis of Norcross and Joe Collins of Tignall.

Friends attending were Syble Meeks of Fayetteville, N.C., Ralph and Mary Will Denard of Tignall, Joanne and Don Potts of Washington, Shirley and Leonard Murry of Lincolnton and Mrs. Lunceford's wonderful caregiver, Annette Bell of Harper's Personal Care Home in Tignall.

On Tuesday, June 20, residents and staff at Harper's Personal Care Home in Tignall honored Mrs. Lunceford with a special lunch with all the trimmings, as well as a birthday cake and many, many gifts. Mrs. Lunceford also received approximately 75 birthday cards from friends, other family members and wellwishers. To her added delight on Tuesday afternoon she received 18 long-stemmed yellow roses sent from beloved cousin, Phillip Huff and his wife, Mae Dell, of Athens.