'I guess we just got blessed with a long life': Florida twins celebrate 100th birthdays
The birthday celebration was held at the Wewahitchka Senior Citizens and Community Center, which has been a gathering place for many local events over the years such as school dances, proms and other social events.
“This is great ... I hope they all have a good day,” Era said as she sat in the receiving line.
The two ladies have touched a lot of lives — literally — the past seven decades. Vera was a hairdresser for 50 plus years while Era worked at the Gulf County Health
It was a big day for the twins as they walked into the center and were greeted by so many familiar faces. They sat in a receiving line as people walked through, hugged and swapped just tidbits of what were likely long stories.
“Vera did mom’s hair for about 40 years ... nobody could do her hair like Vera,” said Linda Santana as she came through the line.
“Somebody needs to put signs behind them ... they look so much alike,” said 91-year-old Merle Jones.
They were born in a log cabin on Feb. 8, 1924 in Bolling, Butler County, Alabama to Tom and Era Exa “Exie” Herring. They both weighed about 2 pounds and had arrived before the doctor did. So, which one came first? They are not sure.
Red more .....
The sisters liked to read and did their homework in front of the fireplace.
The twins graduated from Moore Academy in Pineapple, Alabama, where they played basketball.
Hank Williams and his band played at two of their high school events. Era won a beauty contest at one of the events and received gifts from Hank Williams.
When asked on Thursday who her favorite singer was, Era still said, “Hank Williams.”
In 1946 Era married Gene Luckie and introduced Vera to his friend Malcom Rozier. By the end of that year, Vera and Malcolm were married and settled in Pensacola, where her sister lived.
Era had one daughter, Yvita, and two sons, Ronald and Michael. Vera had two daughters, Linda and Doris.
In 1956 the Roziers moved to Wewahitchka and the Luckies moved to Panama City, then to Wewa in 1957.
Vera attended beauty school in Pensacola and graduated in 1960. After an internship with Eddie Belle White in Wewa, she opened a shop in her home. She worked in her shop up until the last couple of years.
In 1962, Era’s husband was killed in a car accident, and she went to work at the Gulf County Health Department, alongside Ruby Gilbert, to help support her family. She worked there for 20 years before retiring in 1981. She then married Red more .....
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