Speaking of 100 Years...
“100 years of blessings,” is how Evalyn Harris summed up her life as she celebrated her 100th birthday last week. Family and friends from Maryland to California joined her at the historic Columns home in Bolivar to celebrate this milestone birthday.
Mrs. Evalyn, as she is known to so many, was born February 7, 1924 in Wayland, Kentucky to Belville Fitzhugh Mason and Blanche Geraldine Cutshaw. She and her husband, Oscar “Popcorn” Harris, were married September 13, 1942 when they eloped to Corinth, Mississippi, and were married for 74 years. They have two children, Dr. Brad Harris of Memphis, and Tempe Harris Easterday of Reno, Nevada, 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Senator Page Walley (see photo right) presented her with a proclamation from the Tennessee Senate honoring her lifetime of achievements and congratulating her on her 100th birthday. Hardeman County Mayor Todd Pulse and Bolivar City Mayor Julian McTizic presented her with congratulations proclamations from the county and the city.
Harris has enjoyed researching her family genealogy for most of her life and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, The Magna Carta Dames, Daughters of the Confederacy, and The Huguenot Society, along with many other organizations. She was a familiar face as a docent at many historic home tours in Bolivar, and remains active in local history research and preservation. During a trip last fall with her daughter, they donated a 256-year old Bible that was owned by their ancestor, Rev. James Maury, to the Jefferson Library at Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia. Rev. Maury tutored Jefferson and two other Presidents and signers of the Declaration of Independence, James Monroe and James Madison.
She is very tech savvy and uses her computers for genealogical research and to keep up with current events. At age 99 she began taking online Bible classes from the Dallas Theological Seminary. She remains an active communicant of St. James Episcopal Church in Bolivar. Family members say she loves political podcasts, genealogy, old movies, talk radio, Hershey kisses, fried chicken, bacon, eggs, a good rare steak, dark chocolate, chicken salad, and her morning coffee. Harris’ favorite local eateries include Dot’s Country Kitchen, Simon’s, and Route 64.
When asked if she has any advice on living a long life she replies, “Jesus, laughter, and vitamin C serum!”. She has shared her loved of Jesus with so many by teaching Sunday School and other classes for all ages, and also enjoys discussing the Bible and her faith one-on-one. Harris enjoys travel and loves to shop; family members say she can still “outshop” any of them.
Mrs. Evalyn and her family thank all of the many family and friends who shared in her 100th birthday celebration and in celebrating her joy of life. A friend at her birthday celebration asked if she planned on slowing down now, and she replied, “Oh, my goodness no; I’m just getting started!”