100 Years Old; Florence Gilliam misses the Las Vegas slots

Mrs. Florence Gilliam says one of her greatest memories is dropping quarters into the slot machines in Las Vegas "when I was young."

"I loved filling a styrofoam cup with those quarters," she said. "I'd go back and one man at the hotel was always glad to see me. He said 'you haven't changed a bit'." When his shift ended he got on the casino loud speaker and said, "Good night Florence."

Florence celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday, May 14. Two days before, she had a visit from this reporter and a very thoughtful friend, Sheila Haggard, who brought a birthday cupcake from Baked by Gene and a beautiful music birthday card. A dinner at the Phipps high rise was held in her honor on Sunday.

Florence was born in Walker County, Alabama in 1916. "We had no running water and were several miles from town." "I had one sister and six brothers--and three husbands (all deceased) ," she said. "I guess I loved them to death." She grew up with very little and had one job that paid $2.50 a week along with room and board. "We farmed and picked cotton."

She moved to Du Quoin because of a barber she married and worked for Forest City Products that later became Country Set then Bridal Originals. "We had yard sales to raise money to build the water tower the factory got," she remembers. She has fond memories of people like Bessie Gant, Maude Cook and Louise Starkweather there. She also worked in the glove factory in Carbondale. "I am thankful to have done the things I did and be in as good of shape as I am."

It was time well spent with a very great lady.