Verna Hixon has forgotten more than most people remember.

Saturday, December 02, 2000

Verna Hixon has forgotten more than most people remember.

She lived through the 1937 flood, the Great Depression and both world wars. She outlived her husband, Stanley, and her son, Albert.

On Tuesday, Mrs. Hixon turns 100. Residents of Bryant Health Center in Ironton, where she now lives, will honor her with a card shower and a birthday party.

They describe Mrs. Hixon as a "sharp as a tack" person, who has little interest in television. She prefers instead to work word search puzzles in her room, which is decorated with pictures of her husband, son, three grandchildren and several great- and great-great-grandchildren.

"The great-great-grandkids are grown now," she said.

Mrs. Hixon grew up along Paddle Creek with four brothers and six sisters. Her parents were farmers. She married in 1919, settling with her husband in Ironton where she has lived until now.

"In those days, everyone relied on horse and buggy," she said, recalling her memories as a mix of good and bad experiences.

"The depression was hard. It was hard when you couldn’t get work and had nothing to go on."

In the 1940s, her son joined the Army but the war ended before he could be sent overseas.

"We were so thankful for that," she said.

Her most vivid memory is the 1937 flood.

"People just got to high ground and hoped for the best," she said. "That was before they built the floodwalls. Many people lost everything. I don’t know how they got by."

While reflecting on her age, the soon-to-be centenarian said:

"I do well for my age," she guessed.