“All of my family is gone but me,” Effie F. admitted, reflecting back at 105 years of life. “But now I have my own family here.”
Effie spoke highly of the physical, emotional, and social support found within senior living communities. Her “new” family celebrated her remarkable milestone birthday on June 10 at Town Village Crossing.
Born in 1920, the now 105-year-old senior has watched Arlington change dramatically over the past century. “We always had to help work in the fields and pick cotton until all the cotton was harvested and then we could go to school,” she told reporter Chris Moss, of the Arlington Report. “We walked 2½ miles to school — and back — on a gravel road.”
The lifetime Arlington resident built a life focused on family and hard work, raising two daughters. Her family now spans four generations, including two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Today, she continues to enjoy quilting, crocheting, and reading.
Though she once aspired to become a nurse, financial challenges made it difficult to pursue a degree. Still, Effie found meaningful roles throughout her life, including five years working in a school cafeteria and more than a decade at the Army and Air Force commissary in Dallas.
When asked what she believes has contributed most to her longevity, Effie doesn’t hesitate: “The Lord’s blessings and hard work,” she says.
She has witnessed tremendous changes in the world during her lifetime. Among the developments she finds most valuable are modern medicine, the availability of electricity and natural gas, and expanded access to education.
“Effie doesn’t just remember history. She brings it to the table,” says Eboni Kizzie, Executive Director of Town Village Crossing. “She has a way of putting things in perspective, and you leave every conversation having learned something—and usually laugh once or twice along the way. It’s a pleasure to have her with us.”
Find Family, Friendship, and a Place to Belong
At Town Village Crossing, neighbors become friends — and friends become family. Many of our residents find comfort, laughter, and a deep sense of connection in our community. Schedule a tour today and experience the warmth for yourself.