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Approximately 100 guests celebrated the 90th birthday for Joan Cress at Macedonia Moravian Church Fellowship Hall on Saturday, July 12 with a barbecue luncheon given by her daughters, Angie Jamie, DeDe Pulliam, and Chris Miller of Snow Hill and their families.
Twenty immediate family members came together to host this party.
The tables were decorated with Joan’s childhood photos attached to lighted glass bricks. There were candles and clear balloons filled with sparkling confetti, and a balloon arch was hung on the wall. An arrangement of roses and baby’s breath was on the serving table with the birthday cake.
Those who attended were friends from church, ECA, Elbaville Methodist Church Seniors group, students who graduated in 1951 Griffith High School and widows, the Senior Friends group and Women’s Fellowship members from her church, students from Sunday School classes she had taught. Three women came whom she had worked with at Western Electric/Lucent Technologies for 32 years in accounting /editing publication departments.
Joan played her accordion during the party. A cousin visiting from Kansas City, Mo. and had toured with an accordion band, inspired Joan. She learned to play at 12 years old, and later her teacher Paul Kittenger turned his students over to her. She began to teach at 15 years old at Reznicks Music Store in downtown Winston-Salem and later was recruited to teach at Separks. During this time she played professionally for civic groups that included performances atop the old Robert E. Lee Balinese roof, R J. Reynolds auditorium, Graylyn Estates, Starmount Country Club in Greensboro, and Greystone Manor Hotel in Blowing Rock.
It provided her with spending and gas money. After all gas was a tidy sum of $.25 per gallon.
As time went on, she played for nursing and care homes as a volunteer.
She said this birthday party was a special day she will always treasure. It was a time to laugh, share memories with family and lifelong friends.
The only one missing was her husband of 63 years, Ray. They lived and loved and shared a special bond. Their children Angie, DeDe, and Chris and their grandchildren, their great-grandchildren, and his friends miss him, too.