A Raleigh woman celebrated her 107th birthday on Friday with all the bells and whistles – including a parade of cars full of loved ones waving flowers, balloons and colorful 'Happy Birthday!' signs out the windows.
Miriam Jones is described as an active and vibrant woman who lives at Independence Village of Olde Raleigh. In honor of her 107 years in North Carolina, the staff created an intricate history book of personal photos from her life in our home state.
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"Jones was a trailblazer," said Susan Turkell, who works with Independence Village.
While Jones lives in Raleigh now, she was born in 1913 in Wilson. Having seen 107 years of North Carolina history, she's lived through the Great Depression, the Spanish Flu pandemic and two World Wars.
Jones attended Women’s College in Greensboro, where she majored in art, and continued her studies working toward a master’s degree in art education at Columbia University Teachers College.
She had four children and supported her family working as an art director for British War Relief Publications.
She was always active in the children’s schools and part of the League of Women’s Voters. Highly creative and artistic, she is credited with custom-designing her home in Pinehurst, as well as two buildings for Sandhills Assembly of God Church in Southern Pines.
Jones is known at the senior living community as accomplished, vivacious, outgoing and extremely energetic. Residents and staff said they have gained a wealth of knowledge learning about her life and experiences over 107 years.
A 107th birthday to remember
Staff and loved ones gathered for a socially distanced "Stroll and Roll Parade" to honor the birthday girl, according to Turkell.
After the parade, Jones sat down to her favorite meal – unsurprisingly Southern, she chose cheeseburger sliders and potato salad, topped off with a strawberry crunch birthday cake.
The professional chef who prepared the meal for all the guests even used Jones' own special recipe for the potato salad.
Along with the treasured history book and parade, loved ones also created a path of personalized birthday cards as a trail leading to Jones' apartment.
To take a glimpse into Jones’ life, take a look at the historic memento given to her by the staff at Independence Village of Olde Raleigh – a birthday gift that helps ensure her stories of 107 years in North Carolina will not be forgotten.