98 and Counting

Today we are in Memphis celebrating LBeau’s mother’s 98th birthday.

Mema Martha is an amazing woman. A widow for more than half her life, until just a few years ago she lived by herself in Newport, Arkansas. She now lives in Memphis with LBeau’s oldest sister, where she still keeps up with all of the world news and works the daily crossword puzzle religiously. She’s also always up for a challenging game of Scrabble.

Born June 7, 1911, in Union Church, Mississippi, her family later moved to Lake Village, Arkansas, where her father was a farmer and later the county sheriff. It was there that she met LBeau’s father when he came through town selling farm implements for International Harvester. They eventually settled in Newport when Beau opened an IH dealership.

Martha and Beau raised three children. LBeau is the middle child and the only son. She has eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Here is a picture of Mema with three of the great grandchildren at last year’s birthday celebration. Since then we have added two more greats to the family.

So here’s to Mema Martha. Happy 98th birthday and many more!!