JO BEVERLY'S 90TH

  

Last month, when I received the above invitation to my cousin's (on my father's side) 90th birthday party, I did not think I would make it.  But my sister Mary flew into Ft Worth and moved into Aunt Louise's apartment for that weekend so I packed up the RV and took off for the 5 hour trip to Shreveport, La.

Sadly, I did not get to the party at her office where the Mayor and several other dignitaries showed up to proclaim Jo Beverly, 'Queen for a Day'.  And yes, she is still doing the 9-to-5 and more remarkably, shows no signs of slowing down. 

Office of the Mayor

Shreveport, La

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, today, family and friends are gathered to honor and celebrate the 90th birthday of Ms Jo Eddins: and

WHEREAS, Winston Churchill once said, "You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give," and

WHEREAS, this quote embodies the life of Ms Jo Eddins because she selflessly has given herself to the Caddo Council on Aging for the past 17 years;     and

WHEREAS, she works as an Information and Referral Specialist to assist other elderly members of the Shreveport community in obtaining the necessary resources;    and

WHEREAS,  with a kind heart, humble hands, and sweet words she encourages and loves the staff and fellow citizens;     and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Cedric B. Glover, Mayor of the City of Shreveport, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014 as:

"MS. JO EDDINS DAY"

There was also a "Sheriff's Proclamation"    and

A letter of congratulations from the Parish Council.

For the friends and family that did not get to that party, a second gathering was held on Saturday at Jo Beverly's house.

The turn-out was great but I failed to get many of the names so I will list only a few and apologize to all those I've missed. 

Jo B with Paula, on the right, who has a great talent for decorating. 

Kim and Terry helped to plan and put it all together.

 

Jo B with a very close friend who shares the same age.  What remarkable genes.  I hope a few of those genes came my way.

Roxanne with her grandson.  She also helped plan the party.

 Jo B's backyard was perfect for the overflow.

This little guy with the very stylish hair do also sings a great "Happy Birthday"

Even Sigh Me enjoyed the back yard.

(Jo B, Kim and Brenda)

From the Shreveport Times newspaper:

Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover led the parade honoring Caddo Council on Aging's Jo Eddins at her surprise 90th birthday affair at the agency's headquarters.  By official proclamation, Glover declared July 2 as "Jo Eddins Day." 

Even Jo B had to declare, "I've had enough birthday!" at the end of the day.

But it still wasn't over.  On Sunday we called cousin, Dean, who lives in Many, La. and he drove up to visit for an hour.  Surprisingly, they had never met until that day, even though we are all three, cousins.  But it is because of Dean that I eventually found Jo Beverly and I am so grateful that he opened those doors for me.  

(My 'Quest' to find my father's family is explained in November, 2012 postings called "The Lambert Quest" and more in October 2013.)