Lillie Redwine

Lillie Redwine celebrates 110th birthday

by Dwayne McClellan, News Staff Writer

Lillie Redwine, a life-long resident of Dent County, celebrated her 110th birthday Saturday at Seville Nursing Center.

Mary Wood, of Seville, said there were no big birthday parties.  She said Lillie was dressed up for the day and spent time w ith her family.  She received a lot of birthday cards and greetings.  "Lillie doesn't like parties," Wood said.  Sometimes her family will bring her in long enough to have some cake and that's about it.  She does like to spend time with her family."  Her living children are Mildred Russell and Clarence "Red" Redwine, both of Salem.  Another daughter, Lois Roberts, is deceased.  She has several grand children, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Redwine's husband, Thomas C. Redwine, died in 1975.  She lived at home until she was 89. Then she made her home with Mildred until moving to Seville eight years ago.

Wood said Redwine sometimes talks about her early life on the family farm, her parents and her married life.  "There are days when she will talk your head off" Wood said.

Redwine was born July 13, 1886, to William Thomas Blackwell and Charlotte "Lottie" (Hoagland) Blackwell.  She is the  youngest of three daughters.  Redwine was raised on the family farm, seven miles north of Salem.  Her schooling was at the Ozark Ridge School.

In October 1906, she married Thomas C. Redwine.  For years her husband worked in and operated different stores in downtown Salem.  Some of these stores were located at the present day locations of The Bank of Salem and chamber of Commerce.  He also had a store in Anutt at one time.

After the two were married, Lillie stayed home to raise the family and work on the family farm.  Daughter, Mildred said she spent a lot of time canning.

"She always took good care of herself, rarely taking any medicines," Mildred said.  Mildred said she visits her mother just about every day.  Lillie's two grandchildren, daughters of Mildred and the late Paul Russell, are Beck Capps, Salem, and Paul Jones, Rogers, Arkansas.  She has five great-grandchildren, Greg, Steve and Candace Capps, all of Salem; and Larry Johns and Lori Johns, Rogers, Ark.  Her great-great grandchildren are Brian, Clint and Brett Capps, Salem and Danielle Johns, Rogers, Ark.

Submitted by Marji Turner