Mary Ray Stephenson sat in the backyard of the house she and Wilbur bought in 1958, the same white clapboard home on lavender street in Schulter, Oklahoma where she had watched the world change from her rocking chair. A gentle breeze rustled the pine trees Wilbur planted and the smell of birthday cake lingered in the air.
She turned 105 years old. Five generations of family had gathered under the big pine tree in the backyard. Great-great grandchildren were chasing each other playfully while the adults enjoyed cake and ice cream. Ray and Wilbur’s daughter Sue rarely sat down as she carried chairs from the house to make sure everyone had a place to sit.
Mary Ray wore a pink tiara in honor of the beautiful birthday girl that she was. She beamed with joy as she watched her family laugh and tell stories of the many years spent with Granny and Grandpa Wilbur. He’s been gone since 2008, but she still smiles when she speaks of him. Married in 1938, they shared 70 years together, weathering everything from dust storms to the moon landing, raised two children and built a life together in the tiny town of Schulter.
“Granny, tell us about when you were born 105 years ago.” Mary Ray laughed and began an incredibly detailed story about her early years in Marshall, Arkansas with her Mom and Dad and four sisters. She was the second oldest of the girls, with just she and the baby “Vernie” still here. We all sat mesmerized as she told stories of living in a world where babies were born at home with one doctor in the county that came to town every three months to take a census of all babies born since his last visit.
She spoke sweetly of her early years with Wilbur as he worked the Smelter, coming home daily with sooty boots and stories to match. She had been a homemaker – but not just a homemaker – she was the glue, the light, the heartbeat of her little family of four. She and Wilbur raised two children, Sue and Jimmie. This little family has now grown and spread across the state, but always finds their way back to this house, this backyard, this ever growing circle.
Everyone who meets her asks her “What’s your secret Mary Ray?” She always smiles with a twinkle in her eyes and says “Always say your prayers. Stay out of the Doctor’s office and the hospital. And give thanks everyday for your blessings.
As the sun began to set over Schulter, bathing the backyard in golden hues, Mary Ray closed her eyes for a moment – not from fatigue, but from peace. This house, this town, this day – it had all been hers. And for 105 years she held it gently, faithfully, like a prayer.
One of her nieces asked, “Aunt Ray, Are you going to have a 106th birthday party?” Aunt Ray grinned, the setting sun catching glints of the silver in her hair and she said, “You betcha! You bring the cake, I’ll bring the stories! And all you younguns need to stay healthy this year so you can be here!”
