BRADRICK – Ever wonder what it was like to live in the 1800s through today? Many changes have taken place throughout the years with technology.

Saturday, March 30, 2002

BRADRICK – Ever wonder what it was like to live in the 1800s through today? Many changes have taken place throughout the years with technology.

Clara Eideth Crawford, who will be 105 years "young" on April 1, has seen many changes during these years, after 19 presidents and 28 terms of office, beginning with President William McKinley, up to today.

Born April 1, 1897 in Shaffertown, near Chesapeake, the daughter of the late Miles and Mary Moore, Mrs. Crawford recalls the days of the horse and buggy. She said that when she was a child, they walked everywhere.

"We didn’t think about it then, we just had a good time and enjoyed life," she said. "We walked to church."

She attended a one-room school house which was torn down in the 1950s.

She married Hershell Crawford in 1917 in Catlettsburg, Ky. They had five children, three surviving, Juanita Moore, Josephine Null, Hershell Crawford and Deloy Crawford (both deceased), and Alma Ann Crawford; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She had 12 brothers and sisters.

While looking at old pictures, she was reminiscing about the good old days. There was a picture of the old homeplace, which still stands today in Shaffertown; one of her parents and a brother, and others. She remembers the Wright Brothers, how the first airplanes were compared to today. She went to an air show and she was amazed at the planes and how they have changed.

"I loved my job," she said.

She worked at Perry Norvell Shoe Company for 35 years. She also loves to go… and go… and go… I like Hardee’s breakfasts, to go to the mall, WalMart and go to eat out. Mrs. Crawford gets around pretty well. Her daughter, Alma Crawford, lives with her and takes care of her.

"She has a walker, but won’t use it," she said. "She has a cane that she uses and I give her support and she walks around all over the house."

"When we take her out, we use a wheelchair. She is very alert and her mind is good," said her grandson, Lee Crawford. She wants to go all the time. I take them (Mrs. Crawford and his mother, Alma) wherever they want to go. She even wants to go to Columbus to visit one of her grandson’s friends who just moved into a new place. Nothing stops her. When we’re out on the road, she stays awake the whole time, said Lee.

She has had a broken hip and a heart attack about 10 years ago and the doctor didn’t think she would live through it. Today, she is healthy as can be. She has outlived most of her family. She has three children still living and her grandchildren; plus all her friends, who all love her.

"I center all my time and energy for her," said Alma.

She is a member of Sybene Baptist Church and she attributes her life and health to the good Lord above and her doctor, David Patrick, M.D. He keeps her going, said Alma.

Her daughter-in-law, Cora Crawford, who was married to her son, the late Deloy Crawford, said she is as bright as a penny. She knows what’s going on around her.

Mrs. Crawford’s favorite TV shows are Wheel of Fortune and The Price is Right. She looks forward to them every day. And then there’s basketball and Michael Jordan. "I love Michael Jordan," she said.

Other folks in the community love her dearly. "She is a sweet and very knowledgeable lady and highly lovable," said Ernie Hall of Proctorville, a long-time friend of the family.

A surprise party will be held in her honor on Saturday from 2-4 p.m. at the Proctorville Woman’s Clubhouse on State Route 7 in Proctorville. All her family and friends are welcome to come and celebrate her 105th birthday with her.