Happy 100th Birthday!
My grandmother, Rosa J. Dunn, was born on September 27, 1921, in Lenoir County, Kinston, N.C., to her late father, Mr. Uzzell Jones, and her late mother, Mrs. Annie Newkirk Jones, who both formerly worked as sharecroppers. She was the eldest of 13 children.
“Being courteous will take you far in life.”
1921-2021
“Happy Birthday, Grandma Rose!”
Nathan Dunn, Swansea, S.C.
“You now represent this marvelous antiquity of humanity.”
Sam Sutton, Smithtown, N.Y.
“Cherishing you and your sweet and loving spirit.”
Melanie Messer, Jacksonville, Florida
“Happy Birthday, Grandma Rose. You didn’t play about the harm fast-food dining does. (Laughing) I totally agree with it.”
Alex Dunn-Best, Raleigh, N.C.
“What a joyous occasion, Rosa! You have taught us all so much, and we are so much better for having known and loved you. Warm wishes from the Beasleys.”
Mrs. Eleanor Beasley, Kinston, N.C.
“I’m wishing you the very best.”
Elwyanda Rogers, Kinston, N.C.
“Love you, Mom!”
Richard Dunn, Oklahoma City, OK
“Happy Birthday, Aunt Rose! Love you to the fullest.”
Samantha Dunlap, Kinston, N.C.
“Wish you the best, Ms. Rosa!”
Britt Beasley, New York, N.Y.
“Happy Birthday, Ms. Rosa! Sending lots of love and best wishes.”
Caroline Beasley Ingalls, Brooklyn, N.Y.
“My sincerest love and best wishes to the Great Rosedini.”
R. F. Berry, Greenville, N.C.
Short memoir titled “Mornin’, Grandma Rose,” September 2021.
Please return for this joyous celebration on Monday, September 27, 2021. In my own words, I will best describe the life of a woman who continuously exemplifies love, kindness, honesty, and endurance. If you would like to share your thoughts, please submit the form below.
Share your birthday wishes.
(Revised on November 25, 2022. I reconsidered various forms of past-tense usage after my grandmother’s death, and I made a few word corrections, such as “entitled” to “titled” in introducing the short memoir, which I learned has two distinctive meanings.)