100 Reasons To Be Thankful
By Jeff Gulley
Two residents of Life Care Center of Osawatomie are celebrating milestones in November.
Nellie McCoy turned 100 years old on Nov. 17 and David Sweazer will turn 100 on Nov. 27.
McCoy grew up in Miami County and has lived most of her life in Paola. She remembered attending a one-room school house near Drexel called the Baxter School, a 2-mile walk from her home she shared with 15 brothers and sisters.
She worked for a garment factory in Paola for many years and worked at a plant during World War II making items for the soldiers overseas.
McCoy said she believes the key to her long life has been her faith in God, hard work and taking care of herself.
Her 100th birthday has been celebrated with two parties so far and one is planned for today. More than 200 people attended a party in Paola on Nov. 13. Another celebration was held at the Whistle Stop on Nov. 17 and about 25 people attended. Life Care Center will have a party today for both McCoy and Sweazer.
Of the many cards that have arrived, the one from President Obama is a prized possession. On her 90th birthday, she received a card from President Bill Clinton. It was also at that party that she told her family to start planning for the big century birthday.
McCoy said one of the biggest changes she witnessed during her 100 years was that when she was young, friends and neighbors used to get together a lot and she doesn’t see that today. She also had memories of big Thanksgiving dinners with turkey, goose and duck.
Sweazer has lived in Osawatomie all his life. He said the secret to his long life is always eating desert before his meal and that he doesn’t drink coffee.
He had five brothers and sisters who have all passed away.
He worked all his life for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He starting as a janitor and then worked in the office from 1940 to 1972. He represented Osawatomie and his country during World War II as a private.
Sweazer was looking forward to the party today at Life Care Center, adding that he hoped there would be good cake.
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Posted by admin
on Nov 24 2010. Filed under News and Updates.
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