BESSIE [WILSON] LONG

LONG, MEANS, WILSON

Posted By: Irma (email)
Date: 6/28/2009 at 11:11:24

AFTON STAR ENTERPRISE
NOVEMBER 26, 1987

Bessie Long will be observing her 100th birthday Friday, Nov. 27, and will be celebrating on Saturday, Nov. 28, 1987. An open house will be held in her honor from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Afton Care Center.

Mrs. Long has made her home at the Care Center for the past 2 1/2 years. She has a window facing the front walk, and enjoys watching the 'comings and goings' of the visitors and guests. She also watches the many birds [especially the wrens]. The rest of her day is filled with visits to her daughter, Luella Means' room, reading the Bible and newspapers, taking care of her plants, and attending church fellowship hour.

Mrs. Long was born in Canton, Illinois on November 27, 1887. Her parents were James and Mary Wilson, who farmed for a living. When Bessie was about 5 years old, the Wilson family moved to Lorimor community. Here she grew up with her older sister, Mae and younger brother, Clifford. She liked to study so found school work interesting, and soon graduated from Lormior High School.

When she was about 20 years old, a young man by the name of Tom Long, came into her life. After their marriage, they farmed for a living near Lorimor for a few years, then moved to Thayer, where Tom worked as a farm hand.

While at Thayer, Bessie seemed to be kept quite busy with her home work, raising her childen; James, who now lives at Sonora, California, and Luella, who also is a resident at the Care Center. She loved to work in her garden and yard, and had lots of house plants. In the winter time, she made several quilts. She was a member of the Thayer Methodist Ladies Aid, though she explains, "I really wasn't much of a 'club type' girl.

Bessie relates that she has seen any types of transportation during her 100 years of living, from wagons and buggies to cars and trains. NO, she hasn't been on a plane, "because I'm afraid it might fall!"

She is looking forward to the fun afternoon Saturday when her friends and relatives will be joining her to celebrate the big "100"!