Six generations of Rose Ann Perry Parker’s family celebrated her centennial birthday Oct. 15 at A Touch of Class Event Hall in Henrico County.

In addition to Mrs. Parker’s large, extended family, friends, former co-workers and church members of the Abundant Life Church of Christ came out for the 1970s-themed surprise party.

“They really surprised me; all I could do was cry,” Mrs. Parker said a few days after the event. “I was so happy to see family members that I had not seen for years.”

From her marriage to Aleck Parker in 1942, a union that lasted 40 years until his death in 1982, were born Willie Norris Perry and Marie Annette Perry.

Mrs. Parker’s family now stretches six generations, with the youngest member being born a few weeks ago.

Mrs. Parker’s granddaughter-in-law, Carrie Caine, is married to Mrs. Parker’s grandson, Benjamin.

Mrs. Caine says Mrs. Parker is ageless.

“She still reads, her memory is still sharp, she loves crossword puzzles and will watch westerns five times over,” Mrs. Caine said. “She has a wonderful appetite, and she always looks for the positive.”

Mrs. Parker has lived with her grandson and Mrs. Caine for the past few years.

Plans for the party had been underway for several weeks.

“It was a lot of working, a lot of searching for the right place to have it; I enjoyed planning it,” Mrs. Caine said.

Mrs. Parker’s granddaughter, Rose Marie Caine Jones, who also helped plan the party, has detailed and loving memories of her grandmother growing up.

“I really enjoyed my time I spent with her at her house; she kept me from having to stay with a house full of boys,” she said, noting that she was the only girl among her mother’s (Marie Annette Perry’s) six children.

The eighth of Joshua and Betty Anderson Perry’s 11 children, Mrs. Parker was born in Nash County, N.C. on Oct. 16, 1922. Her family moved to Richmond in 1929. None of Mrs. Parker’s siblings is still living, although her mother, Betty Anderson Perry, lived to be 96.

Her best parenting advice is for parents and children to stay in the roles that they are in.

“Kids today need to learn how to be kids, parents need to

learn how to be parents and not your children’s friend,” Mrs. Parker said.

Aging has not been a stressor for Mrs. Parker. When asked how it felt to be 100, she promptly replied “Great. I didn’t think I’d live this long.

“Aging for me is not worrying about anything and not letting others worry me. I have done my job.”