Ruth Taylor celebrates 100th birthday with 100-car parade
Published 3:15 pm Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Jerrod Hampton and Todd Daugherty wave from a car as it passed by their grandmother, Ruth Taylor's, home Monday in celebration of her 100th birthday. (Photo by Whitney Leggett)
Ruth Taylor waves as cars pass by during a 100-car parade to celebrate her 100th birthday Monday. (Photo by Whitney Leggett)
William Baker hands off a card for Ruth Taylor at her 100th birthday parade Monday evening. (Photo by Whitney Leggett)
Ruth Taylor poses for a 100th birthday photo from her front yard on Canewood Drive Monday. (Photo by Whitney Leggett)
Ruth Taylor, front, poses with two of her living siblings, Rosa Brack, left, and Onida Perkins. (Photo by Whitney Leggett)
Ruth Taylor waves as a parade of cars passes her home Monday in celebration of her 100th birthday. (Photo by Whitney Leggett)
Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner presents a key to the city to Ruth Taylor on her 100th birthday. (Photo by Whitney Leggett)
Ruth Taylor poses with some of her grandsons on her 100th birthday Monday. Pictured with Ruth are her grandson Todd Daugherty, at left; great-grandson Jerrod Hampton, top right; great-grandson Demarcus Hawkins, bottom right; and grandson, John Hampton, middle right. (Photo by Whitney Leggett)
Ruth Taylor waves as a parade of cars passes her home Monday in celebration of her 100th birthday. (Photo by Whitney Leggett)
Skylynn, Saveyah and Narcissus Burnam wave at Ruth Taylor from their car as a parade for Taylor's 100th birthday passes by her home. (Photo by Whitney Leggett)
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Ruth Taylor’s family and friends showed up in a big way for her centennial celebration.
On Monday evening, 100 cars made their way down Canewood Drive decorated with balloons, streamers and posters to honor 100 years of Ruth’s life.
While Kool and The Gang’s “Celebration” blared from a speaker, Ruth sat in her front yard donning a birthday tiara.
As her loved ones drove by her home, she waved and pointed, her obvious smile hidden by a protective mask.
The drive-by birthday celebration was a way to celebrate the Clark County native’s milestone birthday while maintaining social distancing because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and despite the unprecedented circumstances, Ruth’s friends and family made sure she felt the love.
“This has been wonderful,” Ruth said after the parade of cars had passed. “I didn’t expect all this.”
Ruth, who was born Sept. 14, 1920, has two daughters, Wanda Hampton and Beverly Daugherty; eight grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
One of her granddaughters, Cicely Dore, said she feels blessed to not only have a living grandparent, but to celebrate such a huge milestone with her.
“It’s amazing to know that she is literally a living legacy,” she said.
Dore said her grandmother is still sharp mentally and loves to carry on conversations with her friends and family, but she also takes her role as the family matriarch seriously.
“She still keeps us all in line,” she said with a laugh.
As cars passed by, passengers handed Ruth cards, gifts and flowers, and at the end of the evening, Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner presented her with a key to the City of Winchester.
Ruth said her best advice for those who want to live a long happy life is to trust in someone bigger than yourself.
“I am a child of God,” she said. “Put it all in the hands of the Lord. I have to give him all the praise for being here today.”
About Whitney Leggett
Whitney Leggett is managing editor of The Winchester Sun and Winchester Living magazine. To contact her, email whitney.leggett@winchestersun.com or call 859-759-0049.
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