By LONNY FROST
Sun-Gazette Correspondent
MANSFIELD - Tioga County Housing Authority threw a special birthday party for one of its residents. Sherwood Manor resident Teddie Barnes celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends Aug. 31.
Article Photos
LONNY FROST/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
From left are Duane Cummings, 98, of Mansfield; Cecil Cummings, 92, of Florida; and Mrs. Teddie Barnes, 100, of Mansfield.
An audience of 45 people sang "Happy Birthday" to her before the candles were lit. Teddie laughed as she raised her hands and applauded the entire crowd. Then she got up, walked up to the cake and blew out the candles.
Cindy Roupp and JoAnn Davis, who work for the Housing Authority, hosted the celebration event.
"This is one of the first times that we have had one of our residents turn 100 and we wanted to make it special," Roupp said.
Teddie Barnes moved into Sherwood Manor on May 13, 1979, and she has lived there for 33 years.
Although her parents named her Theadora L. Cummings, everyone has always called her Teddie. According to her family, that is what she has always preferred to be called.
She was born in a farmhouse owned by her grandparents, Demetrius and Julia (Boyce) Jones, of Tioga. Her parents were Cassius and Edith May (Jones) Barnes from Mitchell Creek in Tioga.
Teddie grew up on a farm with seven brothers. Farming was the way of life back in the early 1900s for Teddie and her siblings. She helped around the house as soon as she could walk. As her younger brothers came along, she would care for them as her mom worked around the house.
"Back then, mother made everything we needed. From meals right down to our clothes and she even helped with the farming," Teddie explained.
When asked what was one thing she enjoyed as a child, Teddie replied with a smile, "Riding the train from Tioga to Mansfield. Mother and I would go to all the shops. We always had a great time!"
Teddie graduated from the small Tioga High School on June 1, 1933.
Shortly afterward, she met Emery Barnes at a square dance.
On Feb. 10, 1934, at the spur of the moment, they got married in a church in Mansfield.
Teddie's children - Emery Barnes Jr., Ann Tokarz and Donna Youmans - were delighted to see their mom reach her 100th birthday.
"I have had a great life," Teddie told those in attendance. She has 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
On Sept. 1, a family reunion was held. Nearly 150 members of her family, including a few friends and neighbors, gathered to celebrate Teddie's long life.
Many memories, photos and tales were shared. Teddie was joined by her 98-year-old brother, Duane Cummings, of Mansfield; and her 92-year-old brother, Cecil Cummings, of Florida.
