Ophelia Alligood celebrates 100th birthday

Published 10:13 pm Saturday, June 6, 2015

MOULTRIE — On Saturday, May 30, Ashburn Hill Plantation was the scene of the 100th birthday reception for Colquitt County native Ophelia Stanaland Alligood.

About 200 family and friends gathered to honor this amazing lady, who was born May 29, 1915, the 13th child of Samuel Davis Stanaland and Annie Lenora Ward Stanaland.

It was a happy celebration which she thoroughly enjoyed!

Ophelia S. Alligood grew up and has spent almost all her life on the Lower Meigs Road.  She remembers the first car she saw on Lower Meigs Road., and she loves telling stories of farm life, her siblings and their games, her marriage and her descendants.

She married J D Alligood on December 31, 1936, and they had three children.  Their daughter is Carolyn Alligood Peace and the two sons are Stanaland L. Alligood and Ronnie M. Alligood.  

There are five grandchildren:  Gail Peace, Paul W. Peace, LeAndra Alligood Gay, Bert M. Alligood and Penny R. Alligood.  

The eight great grandchildren are: John Paul Foster, Justin Peace Foster, Madison O. Peace, Whitman C. Peace, Kirsten M. Holton, Karalee M. Holton, Larson Fowler Alligood and Savannah Caroline Alligood.

It was a thrill for her to have all her family together for this 100th party.

Mrs. Alligood has been a faithful member of New Bethel Baptist Church since she joined in 1939.  She retired as a kitchen helper at Hamilton Elementary School, and she is still famous for the yeast rolls she made for the children.

She was an avid gardener until she was 97, sharing  the vegetables and fruit with friends and family.

She went to New Bethel School, where her teacher, Miss Pearl Autrey, noted on Ophelia’s report card that she was “especially good at reading.” She still reads her Bible and The Moultrie Observer every day.

As she opened the pile of 100th birthday cards she had received, it be came evident from the comments that her fabulous pound cake, coconut cake, caramel cake, little layer chocolate cake and fried chicken filled the memories of many people.  A great cook is always a treasure.

She was in her place at New Bethel on Sunday, May 31 as usual!