Woman, church mark 100th
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WARREN -- Willamae Stevens, a member of Third Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Warren, celebrated a milestone this past week as she turned 100 just a few months before the church also will hit the century milestone.
The Third Christian Church Disciples of Christ is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and members of the congregation have begun planning different events throughout the year, including recently surprising their oldest member with a special parade and birthday gathering on her birthday May 31.
Pastor Bob Faulkner said while Stevens is the same age as the church, she has been a member of the church for 68 years after coming from Youngstown.
"We wanted to surprise her for her birthday. We have the police and fire departments, the mayor who gave a proclamation for her, and many members of the church here who have decorated their cars with signs and have things to giver her,'' Faulkner said.
Faulkner said Stevens is "the mother of our church at 100 years old" and there are many other older church members who do so much for the church.
"It is a blessing for her to be 100 years old. She is a very loyal member of our church. When the word went out we were doing this, everyone came to be part of this," Faulkner said.
Stevens said, "It means so much to me to have you all here."
Dennis Franklin, a member of the church, said he spoke to the Stevens' family who had her seated outside in the driveway off Deerfield Drive to watch the parade.
"She knows it's her birthday but has no idea there will be a parade driving by her house. She just doesn't know the specifics of what is going to take place," Franklin said.
Faulkner said the church will have its official 100-year anniversary in September, but is holding different events during the year. A Black History Month event was held in February.
Melissa Reed, a church member and worthy matron with Mitzpah Chapter 66 Order of Eastern Star, said the chapter members appreciate all the wisdom and advice that Stevens provides for the church and its members.
"She is always willing to help and for 46 years has been a loyal active member of the Order of Eastern Star," Reed said.
At the church, she has been active with Christian youth and women's fellowship.
"She has been a gem to us. She wants all of us to keep Third Christian Church going," Reed said.
Faulkner said Stevens is very efficient and always "knew her numbers" when keeping track of money.
Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold crowned Stevens as "Queen of the City" giving her a crown and sash.
"May God bless you and give you 100 more years," Saffold said.
Mayor Doug Franklin, who is also a member of the church, said Stevens has given so much to the church and her community over the last 100 years.
Born on May 31, 1920, Stevens was born in Wellsville, with her parents coming to Ohio from Macon, Georgia, in the early 1900s. She has been a resident of Warren since 1950. She and her late husband of 62 years, Paul Stevens, had three children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
"She experienced many historical events in her 100 years. Her longevity of life has not only been a blessing to her family but also to our community," Franklin said, listing the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, the War on Terrorism, and now COVID-19 as events Stevens has lived through.
During World War II, Stevens worked at a steel mill making plane parts for the wings of war planes. After graduating from Youngstown City Schools, she studied business at Youngstown Business College and later real estate at Kent State University.
Stevens has been active with the foster grandparents program at Warren City Schools.