Friday, May 16, 2003

Fulton County Honors Seniors Near Century Age

100 years old and still counting

"Age ain't nothing but a number," so the saying goes, but it's a mighty big figure to a dozen persons honored recently by Fulton County for being at, over or just shy of, 100.

The "Centenarians," as they are called, received certificates from the Fulton County Human Services Department's Office of Aging during its Older Americans Month kickoff recently.

"We wanted to pay special tribute to those individuals who have been blessed with long life and continue to grace the community with their wonderful presence," said Melinda Davis, director."Fulton County coordinates senior services such as nutrition and case management that help them, and their younger counterparts down to age 55, live fuller, more wholesome lives."

Honored for reaching triple digits in age were, from the oldest to the youngest:

Henry "TY" Wright, age 110, East Point; Jennie Cantrell, age 105, Atlanta; Alice J. Bartlett, age 101, Alpharetta; Dollie B. Parks, age 101, Atlanta; and Ruth Johnson, age 100, Palmetto.

Recognized for being just under 100 were: Tommie Gardner, age 99, Atlanta; Ethel Banks, age 97, Atlanta; Rosa Smith, age 97, College Park; Richard Owens, age 96, College Park; Artemus Jordan, age 95, College Park; John Eidson, age 95, Fairburn; and Helen Moore, age 95, Atlanta.

Fulton County is celebrating Older Americans Month during May with events emphasizing public-private partnerships depicting the theme, "What We Do Makes a Difference."

For more information, call the Office of Aging's Information Hotline, 404-730-6000, or go to www.myfultoncountyga.us.