Local Woman A Calendar Girl At 102 Years Old

March 4, 2009

Elmira Gandy Crapps, age 102, of Gandyville is the March “calendar girl” for the National Centenarian Awareness Project.

crappscal.jpgHer photograph and a brief biography are featured on the March calendar page of the NCAP (pictured left), a non-profit groups that celebrates active centenarians as role models for the future of aging. Each month the group presents remarkable centenarians and feature one on their inspirational calendar.

To read a NorthEscambia.com story about her 102nd birthday party, click here.

To learn more and download the March calendar page, click here.

The following is the story of Elmira Gandy Crapps, as submitted by Vicki Gandy Bagget:

“Another year, another president.” Those are the sentiments voiced by Gandyville’s oldest resident, Elmira Gandy Crapps, who celebrated her 102 birthday on Jan. 25 . Family and friends gathered at Poplar Dell Baptist (where she has been a member for over 75 years) on Saturday for the birthday celebration. “It’s a family event that we all really look forward to,” says nephew Bill Gandy. “We did the exact same thing with her father, John O. Gandy, who lived to be 108 and the reason for the naming of our community, Gandyville.”

Aunt Myra (as she is affectionately known throughout the community) is the third Gandy descendant to live over 100. In addition to her father, Aunt Myra’s great uncle lived to be 108. Two of her brothers lived to be 90 or older too. Aunt Myra traveled to this area with her parents, John and Victoria, four brothers (Colonel, Erastus, James and J.L.) and one sister (Eunice). She eventually met and married W.H. (Haynes) Crapps, and together they created a successful trucking business called Gulf & Southern Transportation, which operated for 45 years in Century and provided hauling services for timber, lumber and equipment. Although the couple had no children, they enjoyed 65 years together before his death. “I learned a lot about money,” Aunt Myra claims, “by being in business with my husband all those years.” She says she can sum it all up with this: “Don’t spend what you don’t have.”

It’s this kind of advice that Aunt Myra leaves to present and future generations, and her advice is being well-received as it is currently expected for inclusion in the National Centenarian Publication, a worldwide organization that honors citizens who are 100 years old or older. In answering the questionnaire for the Centenarian, Aunt Myra had to reflect on finances. She said that bonds, savings accounts and CD’s are the best and safest places to invest money, and a person should invest at least 20% of their annual income with an additional 10% going to charity and tithing. “Avoid debts. Do without if possible,” she advises. “This is something that a lot of younger people (ages 20 to 60) don’t seem to understand. I don’t think they manage their money well. Too many of them want handouts.”

In addition to her husband, Aunt Myra credits her parents for teaching her about finances. “We never went hungry because we raised our own beef and grew our own vegetables, but no matter how much we had, we were taught to share it with others. Papa said that God always notices those who serve others.”

Of the things invented during Aunt Myra’s lifetime, the two that have affected her the most are central heat and refrigeration. “We used to be so cold, especially at night, so when central heat came along, I just couldn’t get over it. And when we first got a refrigerator, I knew I could really stock up on all those sweets that I love!” she claims.

Having enjoyed excellent health all of her life, Aunt Myra credits good habits and good sense for this. She still tries to walk every day, and she has never smoked or drank. “I’m so thankful I can still get around,” she says. Coincidentally, she renewed her driver’s license two years ago and is still able to drive to church, the beauty shop and the grocery store.

When asked about some of her favorites, she listed “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire,” and “Andy Griffith” at the top. Christian Evangelist Billy Graham is one of her favorites as well, but she says that Roosevelt was by far her favorite president because he helped put people to work. “I liked his work vision for the United States,” she adds.

Will Aunt Myra make it to the 108-year mark like her father and great-uncle? “I never thought I would make it to 100! I just want people to remember me as being an honest, Christian person who always wanted to do the right thing. I want people to remember me as a lady who tried to live for the Lord, not necessarily one who lived to be 100+.”

Last year the Town of Century proclaimed Jan. 25 as the Elmira Gandy Crapps Day, and although most people would enjoy the publicity of this, Aunt Myra remains humbled. “I don’t know. I just had my very first fortune cookie, and the message inside was this: ‘The way to enjoy the future is to invent it.’ I’ll just keep on inventing my future as long as God allows.”

Pictured above: 102-year old Elmira Gandy Crapps receives a proclamation in honor of her 102nd birthday from Century Mayor Freddie McCall at Poplar Dell Baptist Church. Pictured inset middle: The calendar page featuring “Aunt Myra”. Pictured inset bottom: North Escambia resident Elmira Gandy Crapps at 102. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

One Response to “Local Woman A Calendar Girl At 102 Years Old”

  1. Prentis Parrish on March 4th, 2009 2:48 pm

    Excellent advice on living life and manageing money. She is a sweet and smart lady!! As Mr Haynes Crapps used to say WHEN YOUR OUTGO EXCEEDS YOUR INCOME YOUR UPKEEP BECOMES YOUR DOWNFALL!!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News