Surrounded by four generations of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren, Edna Strode welcomed her family to her 100th birthday.
By
Jessica Salmond
| 9:57 a.m. June 22, 2015
East County
Neighbors
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In 1915, Woodrow Wilson was president, World War I was ongoing and Edna Strode was born June 15 in Kentucky. She was the youngest of 12 children—her father was born 6 years after the Civil War ended.
A hundred years later, Saturday, June 20, Strode celebrated her birthday in Bradenton surrounded by her family: five generation’s worth.
One of Strode’s hobbies was crocheting. She used to crochet birth announcements for her new grandchildren. All of the family members who attended the party brought back one of her creations to display.
“Look at just a smidgen of the things she’s made for other people,” her daughter, Betty Hollifield, said.
Her daughters, Wilma Ellison and Betty, described Strode’s life and sang the songs she always sang to her family, and told the great-great grandchildren some of Strode’s favorite sayings, such as “I never!” and “Save some for Virginia!.”
Edna Strode gets a kiss from her two daughters, Betty Hollifield and Wilma Ellison.
Edna Strode and her five generations of family celebrated her 100th birthday Saturday.
Hannah Hollifield and cousin Kyndal Corkins play handgames at their great-great grandmother's 100-year party.
Aubrey and Kisha Hollifield prepare the birthday cake.
Joe Corkins and Ron Hamiliton listen to their grandma's performance.
Mallory Shirey brings in birthday balloons to Edna Strode.
Edna Strode with her husband, Ralph. Photo courtesy of Gloria Shirey.
Betty Hollifield tells the family about some of Edna Strode's traditions.
Cousins Amy Corkin and Kisha Hollifield laugh during grandmother Betty Hollfield's performance.
Betty Hollifield and her mom, Edna Strode
Edna Strode in 1951, photo courtesy of Gloria Shirey.
Edna Strode's great-great granddaughters record Strode's daughter's performance.
Family members brought in the crochet pieces Edna Strode had made over the years.
Gloria Shirey gave Edna Strode a box of Queen Lane chocolate covered cherries, because Strode used to pack candy for the company.
Edna Strode talks with her granddaughter, Gloria Shirey.
One of Edna Strode's hobbies was crocheting.
Wilma Ellison and her sister, Betty Hollifield.
Betty Hollifield and Wilma Ellison with their mother, Edna Strode, who turned 100 June 15.
