Thelma "Nanny" Taylor of Walden's Ridge

Celebrates 100th Birthday With Memories

9/8/21

Dayton, TN -- Thelma "Nanny" Taylor celebrates 100th birthday on September 8, 2021. Born in 1921, Thelma has seen so many changes over her lifetime, but she took time to share a few with Tennessee Community Magazine. This article is so short and cannot even come close to giving a glimpse into the 100 years Thelma has spent on this earth. We are sharing just a few details about a very loving and loved woman who spent her life caring for others. This last Saturday, friends and family in the community held a parade by her house to celebrate the event. 44 vehicles were in the parade and she received 142 birthday cards, with more on the way.

She has never had a driver's license and voted her first time in the sheriff's election in 2017. She first voted in 2020 and she voted for her favorite president, Donald Trump. She doesn't think about her age and lives day by day. She has a son and daughter still living and one lives on each side of her property. She has four grandchildren, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

She has spent a lifetime of caring and cooking for others. She always been a giver, who never expected anything in return. She has been a cook who makes great bisquits, among other baked goods. Until recently, she would make from scratch pumpkin pies, which she handed out to friends and family as well as sending to "Grand Ole Opry" at times. In some years, she gave away around 70 pies. She drove for a short while, but after getting married, her husband did all the driving.

She began her journey in the Oak Hill community with one year living on River. She lived on Dayton Mountain on the property she and her husband purchased. She grew up with no telephones or inside plumbing. Her father kept meat in smokehouse, so family had plenty of food and an abundance of love. She began attending church at a young age. She began dating at age 15. She went to school at Walnut Grove, Valley School and Oakhill before quitting in the sixth grade

She married at age 23 to Seburn Taylor in December 1944. She and her husband built their first house on Dayton Mountain, where they lived on a year. After a short stint on the River, she and her husband bought 140 acres on Dayton Mountain. Thelma and her husband cleared the land with a crosscut saw. To pay for the land, they grew four acres of strawberries every year until land was paid off. They built a 4-room house on the land, where they raised daughter Wanda Taylor Morgan and son Wallace Taylor. The house had no gas, electric and plumbing as it was not available to them back then. They did not have bathroom in the house until 1959. They also raun a small produce store on the property, which at the time was on Highway 30, during the summer months.

Thelma cooked on a woodstore, heated with wood, coal or oil. They also gat a telephone in the late 50's. It was an 8- party line and number was 433-M4. You had to talk to an operator to make phone calls. They put in their first electric heat and air conditioning in 1987, when building a new home.

The next stage of Thelma's life began babysitting when her son was five years old. She continued to babysit until in her 80's. She still babysat her great granbabies after that.

She lived during a time of polio, measles, tuberculosis and small pox. She knew of two people later in life with polio.

How do you feel about the time when you have lived your life?

"I feel like I lived in the golden age."

What was one of your favorite things to do?

"I miss not being able to cook. I do still make biscuits(which she is famous for in the community)."

Who were your major influences on you during your life?

Thelma said, "I had a great family life. My fat her, mother and sibling were my role models and they were the greatest influence on my life. I have 4 older brothers and 3 younger sisters, whom are all deceased. All my childhood friends are deceased."

What are some interesting details about your life?

"I would carpool to Lupton City to work at Dixie Yards and worked until I married Seburn Taylor in 1944. A friend and I woul pay 20 cents round trip to take a trip on the Dixie Flyer Bus to go to theatre during the day."

What are some of the biggest changes you have seen over the years?

"The biggest changes in my life were electricity, cars and telephone."

What do you remember about World War 2?

"I had some friends and relatives that had to go to war(World War 2). I lost two friends and cousin. It was a very happy time when the war ended."

What was your first car?

"My first car was Ford. I meet my future husband when I sold him my car. I bought a blue car with a rumble seat. i didn't drive after getting married. Anywhere I wanted to go, my husband would take me. I did still drive tractors on the farm though."

Talk about some of the pastors you have sat under over the years.

"I had several pastors over the years. Claude Pendergrass, Hershal Smith and Carl Vaugh. I miss being able to attend church, but would if I could. I love to hear Brother Anthony Smith, who visits me at times."