Lyda Smith Celebrates 100th Birthday
Article taken from The Community Common, September 26, 2004
A birthday party for Lyda Smith, who will
be 100 years of age October 14th, will be held at the Minford United Methodist
Church Saturday October 16th.
"It will begin at 1 p.m. and last until people quit coming in," Smith said.
Lyda never held a job but has worked hard all her life.
"My father and mother passed away early so I had to help raise a family
of five from 12 on," Lyda said.
Her parents were John and Mary Elizabeth Dingledine Bonzo.
Lyda had a younger brother and an older sister, who had two children,
who lived with them and she just naturally took over the mother's role.
She took up the art of canning and said she has canned since the age
of 12.
Lyda had five children; Donafaye (Adam) Brigner of Minford, Marilyn Mareno
of Tampa, Florida. Three children have passed on; Charolotte Skill man,
Lye Smith, and Dale Smith (died in infancy).
Son-in-law Adam Brigner said they raise a little garden, but when they
take things to her, she cans it and gives it away to the neighbors.
Lyda has lived in Scot County all of her life.
Her neighbors said she makes the best beans and cornbread anyone ever tasted.