It will be two years this month when three of the oldest African American siblings in Minden would all pass away. It was also two years ago that a representative from Guinness World Book of Records visited Minden to announce that the Thornton sisters of Minden were officially the “oldest African American siblings in the world.” The presentation was made during a special birthday party for the Thornton sisters sponsored by Cultural Crossroads. Hundreds and hundreds of family, friends and well wishers crowed into the Minden civic center to honor the long lives of these three women. Their story made headlines and television stations across the nation picked up the original telecast from one of Shreveport’s TV stations. And overnight the Thornton sisters were celebrities. Their 324 combined years of life would make history.
Following the early November ‘Super Birthday Party’, Rosie passed away mid December. And by the end of January, all three sisters would be gone. Rosie Thornton Warren, the youngest who was 104 passed away first. Then Carrie Thornton Miller, who was 107 died a couple of weeks later. The oldest would be the last to go. Maggie Thornton Renfro, a celebrated super centenarian, was 114 when she passed away in January of 2010.
I had the privilege of assisting with the last known interview with the Thornton Sisters. Cultural Crossroads participated in a statewide project celebrating the Great Depression. “Triumph Over Tragedy” challenged each parish to find and document members in their community who lived through the Great Depression. We had the great niece of the Thornton sisters, Janell Thornton, sitting on the board of Cultural Crossroads. Without any prior knowledge of them, we quickly learned that we had three centenarians in Webster Parish.
I solicited the help of my long time friend and regional folklorist, Susan Roach. Susan and I together would take on the job of interviewing the three sisters. It was the summer of 2009. With the help of Janell Thornton, we arranged a time to interview all three sisters together in Rosie’s home.
When we arrived, Susan and I were greeted by Rosie’s daughters who were also her loving caretakers. Rosie was in her wheelchair. Maggie was there in her wheelchair and Carrie walked in on her own. We were looking around trying to decide where the best place would be to seat everyone. We all agreed on the living room. Rosie’s daughter, Lovie, started to move Rosie to the living room. I was behind Rosie and she was facing me in her wheelchair. Lovie was pulling her towards the living room when Rosie grabbed her false teeth out of her mouth and threw them in my direction. They hit the wall. Of course everyone turned around and inquired “What was that?” Impulsively I busted out laughing. “I think Rosie just threw her dentures at me.” The others laughed. “Well Momma,” Lovie said, “you’re gonna need your teeth for this interview.” Lovie found the dentures, washed them off and handed them to Rosie who chose that day to NOT wear her dentures. She was 104; she could do what she wanted.
We set up our camera and Susan had her tape recorder all ready for a day of questions and answers. I sat behind the camera while Susan conducted the interview. Little did I know that this would be one of the most wonderful days I would spend with three incredible women. I was in for the treat of a life time. Their interview revealed a life of struggles and hardships but more than that they shared their deep love for God, family and mankind. “Give them (people) your best respects,” were the words that Carrie used over and over. “Treat everybody with respect. Love everybody” was Maggie’s motto. The life they thought was simple was anything but….their message of love came through. And over and over again they would talk about the importance of everyone loving each other. As I sat behind the camera, I knew that I was experiencing something very special. This once-in-a-lifetime moment is something that I still treasure.
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| Seated L-R: Rosie Thorton Warren, 104; Maggie Thornton Renfro, 114 and Carrie Thorton Miller, 107 |
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