Today, June 7, 2011, marks a milestone in our family, as my sweet mother-in-law turns 100 years old!!
Annie Martha McCallum Beaumont was born on June 7, 1911, in Union Church, Mississippi, the third child and second daughter of Samuel Tucker McCallum and Lilly Boatner Winters McCallum. In 1919 the family farm was sold, and Sam, Lilly and their five children (they would later add another son), moved to Lake Village, Arkansas.
It was there in 1929 that Martha met Lauren Hunter (Beau) Beaumont, who traveled Arkansas selling farm implements for International Harvester.
Martha and Beau married on May 3, 1931. After living in Little Rock, Fort Smith and North Little Rock, they eventually settled in Newport, Arkansas, when Beau purchased the International Harvester dealership there. It was there that they raised their three children, Billie Anne, Larry (LBeau) and Mary Katherine.
Eventually, all three children would marry, which would lead to eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and counting.
Mema Martha with her grandchildren at Pickwick Lake
Mema with four of her seven great grandchildren
Most of us, along with extended family and friends (about 50 in all) gathered in Memphis last weekend for a big celebration. It was a family reunion atmosphere, but Martha ruled the day.
We looked at old pictures, told stories, read family letters and even played games. And on Saturday night, we toasted the birthday girl who blew out the candles on this beautiful cake, with a little help from Brent, Makayla and David.
Happy Birthday, Mema. Here's to many more.
