North Escambia Resident Honored As She Turns 103 Years Old

January 30, 2010

North Escambia resident Elmira Gandy Crapps turned 103 this week, with congratulations pouring in from friends, family and political leaders.

Century Mayor Freddie McCall designated an Elmira Gandy Crapps Day in the Town of Century. Florida Governor Charlie Crist offered his congratulations, as did Congressman Jeff Miller.

Crapps  was born in Butler County, Alabama, near Georgiana in 1907. Theodore Roosevelt was president. A loaf of bread cost four cents. A gallon of milk was 29 cents. A new Ford? That would set you back 600 bucks.

She moved to a farm with her family in the Gandyville community in 1925, and still lives just down the road from that home.

As of just a few months ago, she was still driving, mostly to three places: the Piggly Wiggly for groceries, her church and her hairdresser. She’s still an active member of Poplar Dell Baptist Church, and very quick to give the Lord all the credit for her age and her health.

crapps20.jpgWhen asked her secret for a long life, she quickly replied that there was no secret. “It’s good living and a love of God. I’ve been blessed by the Lord and walk with Him,” she said. “The Lord always takes care of me.”

When asked about the biggest change in her lifetime, she said “the way people wear, or don’t wear clothes”.

She never had children, but has “a ton” of nieces and nephews. Her father, John Oxford Gandy lived to the age of 108. In 1973, the Florida Legislature named Gandyville after him. He, by the way, had a first cousin that also lived to be 108.

Celebrating a 103rd birthday seems like a big deal to everyone — everyone but Elmira Gandy Crapps.”Everybody has birthdays,” she said.

Pictured above:  Elmira Gandy Crapps receives a proclamation in her honor from Century Mayor Freddie McCall at Poplar Dell Baptist Church. Pictured inset: North Escambia resident Elmira Gandy Crapps turned 103 Sunday. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

11 Responses to “North Escambia Resident Honored As She Turns 103 Years Old”

  1. Mildred Stinson Brown on April 12th, 2010 2:26 pm

    I remember the first time I met Elmira. She was pushing a wheel barrow down her long drive. In it were a rake and perhaps a shovel. She told me she had to gather up all of the leaves that had fallen from the trees that lined the drive. She was 92 years old. I asked to take her photo, since she is a relative on my grandmother’s side of the family. She would hear of me taking her picture because her hair was wind blown and she was wearing work clothes. Unfortunately I haven’t made it back to take with her. Hopefully soon, for I am sure she has many stories to tell. Several of her family have lived to reach 107 years. I’m betting her beats that record by at least one year. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISS ELMIRA!!!!!

  2. Gayle on February 19th, 2010 5:56 pm

    Mrs Crapps is a very specila lady … she has always been a beautiful lady god bless her

  3. Angi on February 18th, 2010 9:16 am

    Happy Belated Birthday Mrs. Crapps, you look very good and you surely don’t look 103 years old…

  4. susan on January 31st, 2010 8:05 am

    That is just wonderful!!! I hope I look just half that good and half that age! That story made me smile. Happy Birthday Ms. Gandy and many more!

  5. observer on January 30th, 2010 8:07 pm

    GOD BLESS this WOMAN! Still going to church, the store and the hair dresser. I know people in their 20’s and 30’s who are too lazy to do that much. I hope she enjoys the celebrations and attention. I am sure she is very humble, she has lived through some of Americas worst times. we can all learn alot from her and I hope she offeres her advice for a long healthy life. GOD BLESS HER!

  6. LIsa on January 30th, 2010 4:42 pm

    Hope I look half that good in my 70’s!!!!! Happy Birthday Mrs. Elmira.

  7. Deni on January 30th, 2010 4:00 pm

    Happy Birthday and God bless you Ms. Gandy! You are such a beautiful and sweet looking lady. Great story William.

  8. DELMER TEW on January 30th, 2010 9:18 am

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS. CRAPPS. I REMEMBER BEING IN YOUR HOME
    MANY YEARS AGO WITH YOUR NEPHEW, GROVER BRUNSON, AND HIS
    SWEET FAMILY. CHARLOTTE AND DALE WERE VERY YOUNG. YOU
    DID LOVE THAT FAMILY AS YOU LOVED ALL OF YOUR FAMILY AS THE
    ARTICLE ABOVE SO STATES. THANK YOU FOR SETTING A GOOD
    EXAMPLE FOR ALL OF US. GOD BLESS YOU.

  9. interested reader on January 30th, 2010 9:10 am

    CONGRADULATIONS ON YOUR 103rd BIRTHDAY, MRS.CRAPPS! MAY GODS BLESSINGS CONTINUE TO POUR OUT ON YOU ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE!

  10. allen on January 30th, 2010 6:57 am

    Happy Birthday!

  11. EMD on January 30th, 2010 1:18 am

    Wow! She is still looking so good. That family must honor their father and their mother, ’cause their days are sure “long on the earth.” I recently saw the librarian of my elementary school. She was 104, and her mind seemed clear. What a blessing. Any of you youngins out there out to seek this lady out. You could learn a lot from her. Happy birthday, Ms. Gandy.

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