By Jim Lisk, Editor
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Sunday, February 28, 2010 — Surrounded by her three children, extended family members and friends, Grace Comer celebrated her 100th birthday on Feb, 21 at East Albemarle Church of God.
As one of eight children, she's the last of her generation remaining. Her husband, Rev. Ernest Comer, was a Church of God minister and died in 1987.
As Grace welcomed everyone with a big smile and glad hand, one well-wisher expressed hope for many more years for Grace.
To which the gracious, gray-haired lady who had spent much of her working life in hosiery mills replied: “I might just do it. I don't know what the Good Lord has in store for me, but he's been mighty good to me for a long time.”
Grace's daughter, Patricia Morgan, who was the middle child of three and the lone daughter, called her mom “the greatest mother in the world.”
“It was mandatory that we were in church on Sunday. We were certainly taught right from wrong,” said Patricia, who marvels at Grace's continued active life.
“She still does her cooking and cleaning and only gave up driving last year at age 99.”
Patricia's mother-in-law, Marguerite Morgan, made the trip down from Greensboro to join the festivities. Marguerite is a young thing herself – only 98.
The two ladies sat and shared moments from yesteryear as well-wishers snapped away with their cameras to catch this special moment in history.
Grace's two sons – Donald and Darrell – remembered the mother who joined with their father in instilling Christian values in their children.
“I'm not going to tell you again. You just wait to your daddy gets home,” Darrell said of those moments when his boyish actions didn't meet the family standard for behavior.
“She'd still be mowing her lawn if the lawn mower would crank,” laughed eldest son Don, as he shared how Grace gave up mowing last summer when the mower decided not to crank.
“She's always loved her gardens and beautiful flowers.”
Grace's niece, Alice Loftis, has many fond memories of her aunt.
“She was always lots of fun to be around – always laughing and jolly,” said Alice.
“And she was also a real good person.”
