By: Jair McElveen
At 101 years of age, Lula Margaret Coatney Mckoy, fondly known as “Ma” to many, personifies the essence of family dedication and beloved traditions. In an interview with BladenOnline, Ma shared some information about her stunning life centered around family and family reunions, a tradition she has upheld without fail. Throughout Ma’s entire century of existence, she has never missed a single family reunion.
When asked about her childhood, Ma said, “We had to work real hard on the farm, but we enjoyed it. Most of all, we had to go to church, and then we had our fun in the evening.” As she continued to speak briefly about growing up, she began to reminisce on the hard work and extreme fun she had that defined her early years. Growing up, her experiences instilled in her a deep appreciation of family bonds. The annual family reunions were a major aspect of Ma’s childhood that strengthened her family bonds.
The McKoy yearly family reunion began on Father’s Day 55 years ago at the Old Home Place in Clarkton, NC. The reunion then changed to a midsummer celebration, which is now scheduled every year on the first weekend of July.
Ma believes it is imperative to attend the annual family reunions. As a child, Ma’s uncle and aunt urged the family to prioritize the reunion above all else, especially considering the set date being the same each year. Their influence on Ma has led to her perfect attendance and has been the cornerstone of her life. Now, Ma is encouraging the whole family to attend family reunions as she believes they are essential. She views every family reunion as an opportunity to connect with her relatives and truly understand and cherish them. Ma says, “My family makes me very happy,” and with each of them in attendance, it will be a great time.
Ma’s life lessons are simple yet deeply heartfelt: appreciate your family, treat others kindly, and admire every moment together. Ma’s journey and steady attendance at family reunions inspire and influence all of us, reminding us of the lasting strength and happiness that family can bring into one’s life.
About Author
