Nonprofit Honors Oklahomans As They Turn 100, Helps Keep Their Stories Alive

The nonprofit, Centenarians of Oklahoma works year-round to honor Oklahomans who live a century or more.

Thursday, August 19th 2021, 5:20 pm

By: Sawyer Buccy

TULSA, Oklahoma -

A group of women behind a nonprofit work year-round to honor 100-year-old Oklahomans.

Centenarians of Oklahoma have honored more than 2,000 people and say keeping these stories alive does something good for the entire community.

"Warren D. Crawford lives in Oklahoma City. He was in the army, World War II from 1942 to 1952, he was flying a B26 over Wichita Falls, Texas when he heard that World War II had ended," said Carole Minter with Centenarians of Oklahoma.

Centenarians of Oklahoma volunteers spend hours and hours of their time tracking down stories they believe need to be told.

"These are the books of the living centenarians that we have already honored, and it is close to 300, about 284 currently," said Terri Callaway with Centenarians of Oklahoma.

Stories that are 100 years in the making.

"We do not forget about our Centenarians. We continue to honor them as long as they live and when they turn 110, they become a supercentenarian," said Gloria Helmuth with Centenarians of Oklahoma.

You wouldn't believe the amount of work these women put into tracking down every Oklahoman 100 years or older.

"I have every nursing home and assisted living and independent living in the state of Oklahoma on my Facebook. I search them every day for Centenarians," said Sue Scott with Centenarians of Oklahoma.

They put together biographies of each person's life and keep the files for years.

"I felt pretty special," said 102-year-old Pauline Morton. "They gave it to me the day I turned 100 years old, and I thanked them very much! They read a whole bunch of things about me, and I don't know where they got all that information. She knew more about me, than I do, myself."

Their stories have helped make our community what it is today and what it could be tomorrow.

"These are deceased centenarians we have previously honored, and these are the files we will then send to the Oklahoma Historical Society for them for their permanent records in genealogical research," said Callaway.

"For someone to not only honor them when they turn 100 but to remember them because we send them a birthday card, a Christmas card," said Helmuth, "It is extremely rewarding, the look on the people's faces, it just makes everything worthwhile."

Last week News On 6 shared the story of Evelyn Felix, whose friend came out of retirement to help her celebrate her 100th birthday. Well, the nonprofit Centenarians of Oklahoma heard Evelyn's story and will be honoring her on Friday.

To support Centenarians of Oklahoma CLICK HERE.