Foley resident marks 100th birthday

By Allison Marlow
Posted 1/3/18

When Alica Christian first opened her eyes upon the world Woodrow Wilson was president, Albert Einstein had just published his first paper and America was fighting World War I.

Last month when …

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Foley resident marks 100th birthday

Posted

When Alica Christian first opened her eyes upon the world Woodrow Wilson was president, Albert Einstein had just published his first paper and America was fighting World War I.

Last month when she awoke on her 100th birthday, she had witnessed 17 presidents take and leave office, science had carried spacecraft beyond our solar system and America had marched off to six more wars.

“It doesn’t make me feel any older,” Christian said matter-of-factly.

The staff at Diversicare in Foley, where she lives, giggled. Christian had seen a lot in her 100 years and was happy to tell you a tale or two. And be certain, after more than 70 years in Baldwin County, Christian knows just about every good tale.

“She is truly amazing,” said Erica Chambers, one of her caretakers. “She’s writing a book about her life. She rolls herself into my office each day to give me the next chapter.”

The first thing Christian will tell you, correct you on actually, is that she does not hail from Alabama but rather “the great state of Iowa, land of the tall corn.”

Her husband, who suffered from rheumatic fever, moved Christian and their two young sons to Alabama to escape the cold and ease his pain. Christian spent much of her time volunteering at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Foley where she has been a parishioner for more than 70 years. The church threw her a 100th birthday celebration in early December.

At Diversicare, staff members gave Christian a smaller celebration complete with balloons, cake and a sparkly crown for the birthday girl. Staff struggled with one question. What gift to buy a 100-year-old?

Christian told the staff she wanted nothing except a life she loved and trust in the Lord for those made the best day ever. The party décor, balloons, plates and cups, all gold, sparkly and pink, each bore the phrases “Trust in the Lord,” “A life you love” and “Blessed.”

“It was just perfect,” Chambers said.