Storm does not dampen spirits at birthday party
More than 30 people attended a birthday party Aug. 2 for Teeny Williams of Marion.
The 77-year-old Florence native celebrated her birthday in an unusual fashion — at Hillcrest Cemetery in Florence.
Why in a cemetery?
"My husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I told him a tombstone," she said.
To properly "christen" the monument, a party was planned which coincided with Teeny's birthday.
While living in Florence, Teeny was a member of the city council and in charge of parks and the cemetery.
"The cemetery records had been destroyed years ago in a fire, so I decided to research and record the 116-year-old burial ground," she said.
She completed the project and also was the leader in establishing a memorial marker for a mass grave of 300 Russian immigrants buried at the cemetery.
"This was the only birthday party I have ever had," Teeny said.
Despite stormy weather, friends and family attended the unusual party while Teeny and husband Pete had their marker installed. The party ended with a toast.
Guests included Wayne and Judy Reno, Neysa Eberhard, Lee and Diane Leiker, Dwight and Helen Beckham, Homer and Jean McKellips, George and Earlene Hardey, Sharon Williams, Katherine Armstrong, and Mary Lou Phillips of Marion.
Betty Inlow, Linda Britton, Joe Heath, Sandy Sellers and Leah, Les and Linda Allison, Ed and Neva Robinson, and Betty Williams of Florence.
Gary and Marilyn Jones of Peabody and people from Newton, McPherson, and Walton.
