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AHOSKIE – Alma Cotton Taylor celebrated her 100th birthday here July 26 at Accordius Health at Creekside Care with her family, friends, and staff of Creekside.

When asked what she wanted for her birthday, Taylor clapped her hands, smiled, and said, “chocolate cake, Pepsi Cola, and of course someone needs to dance.”

When asked what music she liked, she did not miss a beat, “Rock & Roll” she answered.

Nicole Parker, Activity Assistant of Creekside, made a music play list for the birthday party, including Carl Perkins – Blue Suede Shoes, Fats Domino – Blue Berry Hill, Billy Haley and the Comets – Shake Rattle and Roll, Bo Diddley – Can’t Judge a Book by its Cover, Jerry Lee Lewis – Great Balls of Fire, Buddy Holley and the Crickets – Peggy Sue, Little Richard – Long Tall Sally, Chuck Berry – Roll over Beethoven, and Elvis Presley – Guitar Man. A few staff and residents danced to this play list at her party and Taylor enjoyed watching and laughing. However, her favorite things at the party were her chocolate cake and Pepsi Cola.

Taylor was born July 26, 1922, the year Warren G. Harding was President. She was born in Norfolk, Virginia to Blanche and Cleveland Cotton. She grew up on Cottons Island, located a few miles from Harrellsville, along with her brother and sister. When her parents took her home to Cottons Island, gas was $0.25 a gallon and there was no running water, indoor plumbing or electricity.

Taylor was married and has two sons who were raised on Cottons Island, the Taylor Farm on the Harrellsville-Cofield road in North Carolina, and Chesapeake, Virginia. She is the very, very proud grandmother of three and great grandmother of five. Taylor so enjoyed spending hot summer weekends on the Chowan River with family and friends.

Taylor always took pride in her yard, making sure her flower beds were beautiful and of course had a big garden to help feed the family.

Taylor was a cosmetologist in Virginia for a few years and she later worked at Copeland Drug store in Ahoskie. Many people that come in to visit other residents at Creekside often recognize Taylor from working at the drug store. Taylor is that type of person with a huge smile, bubbly personality, that never met a stranger and once you meet her, she makes a lasting impression.

Since being at Creekside she has enjoyed many activities through the years: socials, religious activities, arts and crafts, any kind of music event, visiting other residents, and people watching. When in her room she would write letters to family and friends, read biographies, love stories, the News Herald, and crochet. She will still crochet some; however her favorite things now are visits from her family and friends, propelling herself in her wheelchair up and down the hallway, socializing with others, people watching, and drinking Pepsi Cola and eating Oreos.