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Wilma Webber Rippy to celebrate 105th birthday

Wilma Webber Rippy will be celebrating her 105th birthday on May 6, 2017 with family and friends. Wilma was born on May 6, 1912. She was one of nine children and the second child born to Barbara and Vernon Webber. Her eight brothers and sisters (in descending order) are: Lucille Moss, Myrtle Blackburn, Coy Webber, Claude Webber, Fay Clary Killian, Leon Webber, Lawrence Webber and Hazel Peace. Fay and Lawrence are her only two living siblings.
Wilma married Robert (Bob) Rippy (b1915-d1992) on February 15, 1936. They have three children; Donnie Rippy, Doug Rippy and Annette Justice. Wilma's immediate family also includes three grandchildren; Dean Rippy, David Neal Rippy and Tracy Patrick; and two great-grandchildren; Delana Patrick and Kennedy Rippy.
She has had several different occupations over the years. Her first job was picking cotton (her parents were sharecroppers and Wilma and her siblings helped in the fields). Wilma's second job was as a house cleaner/keeper for an Aunt and Uncle. Her third job was at a sock mill. Her fourth job was at Cleveland Cloth Mill and her last and current job is that of a homemaker/housewife.
Wilma has lived at her current address for the last 81 years.
She is know by family and friends as a delight, and has a wonderful sense of humor. She was once asked what her secret was for such a long and healthy life. Her reply was, "I've never driven a car, never smoked and never drank." She is also famous for her cooking skills, especially the following dishes - rhubarb pie, peach cobbler, old fashion stickies and black walnut pound cake. Her husband, Bob, loved to pick blackberries and bring them home for Wilma to make a blackberry cobbler with dumplings.
Wilma has always loved working outdoors in her yard and "piddling" around. She has always been an outstanding house cleaner. She still cleans her own home and loves it. Wilma also enjoys working in her yard to this day. She is loved and adored by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her sister and brother and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Wilma is a member of Zoar Baptist Church.
Submitted by Melba Creswell


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