In 1901, an anarchist shot President William McKinley, Vice President Theodore Roosevelt became President and Five Civilized Tribes were granted U.S. citizenship. Millions of now-everyday items and inventions hadn’t been thought of - including the commonplace Teddy Bear, which made its entrance into the world in 1902.
Try to imagine the things you could have witnessed, if you had lived from that year until today. Imagine remembering having seen a car for the first time, a plane flying or how medicine has come to save so many lives.
The year 1901 is a lifetime, and then some, away.
At the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Buckingham County, Va., Fannie Mae (Rush) Banton was born in 1901.
“When I was little I remember playing on the porch and seeing the beautiful mountains. I used to say I lived right at the bottom of those mountains,” she said.
Fannie explained that her memory is beginning to fade.
“I am not good with names or numbers now; it’s frustrating,” she said. “My doctor told me that memories start to fade when you are about 50 years of age, so mine has been going for a while now.”
This wise matriarch is an inspiration to her friends and the employees at Garden Estates Assisted Living Community. Her infectious laugh lights up the room, her conversations are often compelling and her determination shows through in what is important to her.
“We owned land where the Temple Daily Telegram sits today. We sold it many years ago, but I remember it,” she said. “I used to vote down there, too. Voting is important. I loved voting - it’s important. Do you vote? You should!” she said with a smile. “My other love is reading. I am thankful for eyeglasses because they allow me to read.”
Staff members said she often sits outside of an afternoon with a good book.
“Medicine is wonderful today; they can save your life much easier. There is a man here that has had three heart operations. Three! Can you imagine?” she said.
Her beloved husband, Albert, served in World War I. When he returned from his duties they met and fell in love.
“He was a good man, he loved me, spoiled me, he gave me everything I ever wanted,” she said. “I came to Temple with him in 1954. He worked with the railways.
“He bought me a washing machine that washed by itself - oh, how I wished I had that when my sons were growing up.”
On Friday, Mrs. Banton celebrated her 106th.
Family and friends joined her at Garden Estates to celebrate with residents and staff.
Fannie made her entrance with the help of her walker, parked it near a chair at the table of honor and walked to her seat.
Peggy Holcomb, resident care coordinator at Garden Estates, started working there when Fannie arrived. “She often uses her walker, but she does have a scooter. It just depends how tired she is,” she said.
“She was still driving at 100 years of age. It wasn’t until she fell and broke her hip at the post office that they took her license away from her,” Holcomb said, “And she fought that. She also fought tooth and nail against moving to the assisted living community from the retirement community. She moved over here about two years ago when she was 104, until then she was basically self-sufficient” Holcomb said. “But she has never been angry or rude, she is just one of the nicest residents - very independent. She just knows what she wants.”
Celebrations continued Friday night with visiting family members at the Texas Roadhouse and Saturday at Grace Presbyterian Church in Temple, where a special luncheon had been arranged for her.
“I have always looked forward to church,” she said. “Now they come to me. I love my faith, it gives me peace.”
Fannie’s eldest son, Albert, was unable to attend this year’s celebrations due to illness. Her youngest son, Paul, passed away in 2005.
