Lorene Summey of Cherryville, North Carolina had never had a birthday party. The oldest of six children, she often cared for her siblings and thus didn’t get to experience her own birthday festivities. But that all changed in 2022.
Lorene was born on November 23, 1917. And for her 105th birthday she wanted to finally have a birthday party extravaganza. She got her wish for a Hoedown Barn Dance on November 18, 2022, and it was epic.
“I can’t believe it,” Lorene said before the event. “I just hope I don’t make a fool of myself.”
All the attention might have been a little overwhelming, but it was a beautiful day. Complete with a BBQ, DJ, photographer, and a birthday cake, her party was something her entire community wanted to be a part of. Even Burns High School Health Sciences students volunteered on the night.
The Cherryville City Council declared the landmark birthday “Lorene Summey Day,” and, as if it couldn’t get any better, the whole county will have a “Summey Holiday” in her honor.
As an added bonus, Lorene had been escorted to her own party by the Cherryville Police department.
The mayor himself gave a dedication at Lorene’s party, and a pony also made an appearence. They even had a proper hoedown!
It was truly a special time, and seeing her close friends made it even more memorable for Lorene.
“I’m so glad to see you,” she told her friend, Martha. “I love you.”
Lorene had a fantastic unique idea for a birthday present: a card for every year she has been alive.
The response was great. She received well wishes from all over — a total of 1,200 birthday letters from every state and across the globe adorned Lorene’s senior living facility’s walls.
Lorene’s family was so thrilled that she was being honored this way. Her 82-year-old niece, Brenda Craine, had said the family was excited to give her the party of her dreams.
“It’s so wonderful what everyone’s doing. I don’t think it’s really soaked in for her how big this event is going to be,” Brenda said prior to the party. “She’s just been precious all her life — she deserves every bit of this.”
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