By Terry Hollahan
Maxine McCarter has seen a lot in her days, is proud of her Christian faith, and loves playing a good game of bingo at American House Bartlett.
“She plays bingo, she comes to exercise, she participates in all the activities here, every one,” said Linda Brown, activities director at the assisted living community at the corner of Kirby-Whitten and Yale roads. “She decorates. She does everything. She’s very active.”
The only thing Maxine can’t do, Brown said, is walk. But she can even push herself in her wheelchair.
Maxine was at the head of the table on Thursday, Oct. 27, for her 105th birthday celebration, with a guest list that included Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald and two of her children, Jim McCarter and Marilyn Pate.
Lunch was her favorite – pulled barbecue, beans and coleslaw.
Maxine was born Oct. 27, 1917, before the end of World War I. She has survived not just the COVID-19 pandemic while a five-year resident at American Home, but the big pandemic in 1918, a new H1N1 influenza virus at that time often referred to as the Spanish Flu that killed more than 50 million people worldwide.
Her grandfather served in the Civil War, according to research Pate and family members have done.
Maxine grew up in the Lucy community of Millington and attended Lucy Baptist Church most all of her life.
“I was a riveter,” Maxine said, working for Fisher Aircraft during World War II to make bombers at a plant in North Memphis where Kimberly-Clark used to be located.
Her advice for others is to “live a good, clean life” – no drinking and no smoking.
Asked what makes her happy, Maxine said, “I’ve always been a happy woman. And I thank the good Lord for that.”
Her favorite cake is coconut.
“She used to make wonderful coconut pies,” Pate said.
Her two other daughters couldn’t be there for the birthday celebration. Janet Jernigan lives in Monticello, Georgia, and Frances Draper is in Racine, Wisconsin.
But guests filled the cafeteria at American Home to share a meal and enthusiastically wish her a happy birthday. Photos of Maxine participating in various events were displayed at the cafeteria entrance.
And everyone there will be looking forward to her 106th.
“We love her,” Brown said.
