According to ABC News, Doris Ward and Loris Pryor, born on July 17, 1924, recently celebrated their 100th birthday.
Report revealed that when they were born, Herbert Hoover had just been sworn in as President, the Caesar salad had just been created, and the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was still years away. Originally from Illinois, Ward and Pryor have witnessed a century’s worth of history while enjoying life’s journey.
The sisters recently spoke to Detroit’s ABC affiliate WXYZ, expressing their surprise and gratitude for reaching such a milestone. “To live this long, I never thought it would happen or not happen. I never thought about it,” Pryor remarked. Ward added, “All I can say is that it’s a blessing to be here at 100 years old.”
Now residing in Detroit, Ward and Pryor are matriarchs of four generations. Ward has eight children, 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren. Pryor has one son, a grandson, a great-grandchild, and a great-great-grandchild. Their family celebrated their milestone with a large gathering at Rosedale Park Baptist Church, complete with a live band, balloons, and a custom birthday cake.
The sisters’ great-granddaughter, Quantanise Williams, shared insights into their lives and the impact they’ve had on their family. Ward’s youngest daughter, Lashawne Williams, noted that both her mother and aunt are “doing wonderful” for their age. The birthday celebration saw family members traveling from various states to join the festivities.
Ward’s older daughters, Anise Donaldson and Wanda Barden, described their mother and aunt as having “bubbly” and “lively” personalities. They shared memories of their younger days, highlighting Ward’s love for dancing and Pryor’s skills as a cook, especially her homemade roast. The siblings emphasized the values of friendship and kindness that Ward and Pryor instilled in them.
Barden reflected on the sisters’ influence, saying, “One of the things that I appreciate over and over is how they help us to appreciate people. I still know people’s names on the block when I was in elementary school because we had to speak to everyone. It has helped me to be a people person. I travel all over the world, but knowing how people warm up to me is because of what they put in me, I really appreciate that.”
She added, “My mother and Aunt Loris never had an enemy. Everybody on this earth loved them. There’s nothing not to like about them, and that’s rare.”
Ward and Pryor’s 100th birthday celebration was a testament to their enduring bond and the positive impact they’ve had on those around them. Their legacy of kindness and friendship continues to inspire their family and community.
(Doris Ward and Loris Pryor).
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