On Sept. 29, Rosa Nell Blanton of Cumberland County celebrated 102 years of life. Nell, or Mom Blanton, who she is well known as, is the daughter of the late Philip and Suzanna Gary and the wife of the late Abraham Lincoln Blanton.

She is the mother of nine: Rev. Lucille Maddox, Arverne N.Y., Susie Sanderson(John)Henrico; Delsia Blanton, Farmville; Angela McCorkle Jamaica, N.Y.; Admus Gary Blanton Farmville; Alice Hamlet Midlothian; Rev. Silas Blanton(Tonya) Farmville; Curtis Blanton(Jennifer) Baltimore, Md.; and Gloria Vincent(Lawrence) Hurdle Mills, N.C.

She is a grandmother of 17, great-grandmother of 31 and great great-grandmother of 12. During her earlier years, she enjoyed reciting poems, reading and cooking. Today, she still reads The Farmville Herald and cooks, if she chooses.

Also in her earlier years, She raised her own family as well as other families and traveled around the world. At 102, she still holds the title of “Mother” of Sharon Baptist Church, Cumberland. and she has nothing on her bucket list that needs to be fulfilled.

Many changes have taken place around her over the years, but her faithfulness to God has remained the same. She enjoys now at 102, to receive visits or phone calls from her family and friends. During those calls and visits, she will remind them, that God has been good to her over the years.