Virginia McLaurin, affectingly known as Granma Virginia, was honored recently by family members, the staff and students at Sharp Health School in Northwest Washington on the occasion of her 103rd birthday. She has served there for the past 20 years as a Grandparent volunteer.
The various classes presented skits and other performances; Kimili Anderson gave a tribute from Carol Browser, Ward 4 Councilmember. A highlight of the celebration was the appearance of the Honorable Marion Barry, former D.C. Mayor and the current Ward 8 Councilmember. He congratulated Granma Virginia for celebrating her 103rd birthday. He praised her for continued dedication to the children at Sharp, and for being an inspiration to those around her.
Cecil Jenkins, head of the Grandparenting Program in the DC Schools, praised Granma Virginia for her devotion to her work and her love for children.
The entire assembly, family, friends, staff and children joined in singing “Happy Birthday” to Granma Virginia after which one of her great great grandnieces presented her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and ballrooms.
In her remarks at the end of the celebration, Savetria Francis, principal, said “If I had to think of a phrase that describes Grandma Virginia, it would be she celebrates 103 years of life doing what she loves, serving children.
“She has a flirtatious spirit and is a pure joy to be around. For those of us who complain about commuting to work, neither rain, sleet, snow nor heat keeps Grandma Virginia from reporting to work. To top that off, Grandma Virginia walks to work EVERYDAY and her commitment to our students is priceless. We are thankful for knowing such an extraordinary woman.”
A birthday luncheon followed the program.
One of eleven children, Virginia, was born on March 12, 1909 in South Carolina but was reared and educated in Raleigh, N.C. Her husband, Marshall, died in 1945 and they shared two children, a son (deceased) and a daughter, Ida Mae Streater, who lives in Washington.
Her sister, Attie Towson who is also over 100 lives in her own home in South Carolina. Virginia comes from a family with great longevity, and she credits hers to family genes.
She spent most of her adult life as a seamstress and worked in various laundry and dry cleaning establishments around the city. She made many of her own clothes and clothing for others.
One of her secrets for her longevity is reading her Bible and praying daily, loving Jesus Christ her Savior, and her fellowman. “There’s no one that I don’t like,” she said. “I love everybody.” Her advice to others is to love the Lord, read the Bible and pray daily.
The Foster Grandparent Program, of which Grandma Virginia is a part, provides volunteer opportunities for persons 55 years old and older to work one-on-one and in small groups with children from birth to 21 years of age in educational and social service settings.
The program operates at 42 locations in the District of Columbia and the sites include early education centers, public and public charter schools, before and after-school programs and youth programs.
Seniors seeking to serve as volunteers should contact Carol Johnson, program coordinator, at (202) 610-5123 or contact her at carol@upo.org.