Alleghany has new centenarian

Alleghany resident Thelma Edwards recently joined the ranks of the county's centenarians, turning 100 years old on July 27. Raised here in the county, Edwards was one of seven children of Ralph and Ellen Andrews. Of the four girls and three boys, Thelma and 97-year-old sister Laura Hudson, also of Alleghany, remain.

When asked about life was like when she a youngster, Edwards replied simply, "When I was little, I was just happy." With a giggle she added, "'I'm still happy. I'm here at 100."

Growing up, Edwards attended Zion School, a school "open back years ago" that was located just below Zion Church. She stopped attending school when she was in the eighth grade.

To get to school Edwards said she had to walk "a good ways. Didn't have no cars or nothing to go. When it got bad weather, I had to quit going."

As a teenager, Edwards met and married husband Cleo, with whom she shared a number of years. Prior to marrying Thelma, Cleo had lost his wife with whom he had son, Bill. The two raised Bill, and son Thomas. Today, Edwards' family includes granddaughters Patricia Hodge, Rebecca "Becky" Dawson, four great-grandchildren, Michael Crouse, Christopher Hodge, Nicole Dawson and Zach Dawson, a great-great grandson, Atley Spears, and a number of step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. She also has one grandson, Steven Edwards, who is deceased.

When asked about her late husband, Edwards stated, "He was a good man. We always got along good and never had no trouble. We were happy and we traveled a whole lot."

 

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