Bishopville lady celebrates Centennial
By Annie Bird
“One hundred years, just imagine!” declared Sadie Belle Payzant as she posed for a picture a few weeks before her birthday. As for 100, she said, “it doesn’t feel any older than when it was 50, except I can’t do much work.” Sadie’s keenly recalls many things that happened in the past. What stands out most is “moving to Bishopville without five cents” in May of 1932, with her husband Allen. It has been her home ever since.
The births of their three sons were equally memorable. Freddie died in infancy. She lost her beloved Allen in the early 1960s and son Clyde, who lived on the farm with her, in 1998. “My whole life is memorable, more or less,” she mused, considering the years when she was well know in the exhibition circuit. Her quilts, handcrafts, preserves and home cooking, especially bread, won countless ribbons and honors. “My son John is the most important thing in my life now,” she noted.
To what does Sadie Payzant attribute her age?
“I’ve always lived what I consider a good life,” she noted, “worked hard, ate good home-cooked meals, kept involved with church and community activities and had a strong faith in the Lord.
“Prayer is important,” she asserted. Sadie loves having company come, especially family. Besides her 93-year-old sister Ida Frizzle, she has five grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. The treat that delights her most is iced cappuccino. Asked what she will look forward to after her 100th birthday her mischievous reply was “I suppose 101!” What age would she like to live to be? “I haven’t decided yet, one hundred is pretty old,” she said smiling with a twinkle in her eyes. “ I am in good health.”
The grand old lady of Bishopville and the eldest living member of the
Hantsport Baptist Church will be honored on the occasion of her 100th birthday at the Baptist church hall from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18. The public is invited to come, and if you so wish share a special memory you have of Sadie. Best wishes only, please.
