The first true supermarket in the U.S., the Piggly Wiggly, was opened by Clarence Saunders in Memphis, Tennessee on September 6.
On September 15, the first tanks were used in warfare (Little Willies) at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, part of the Battle of the Somme in World War I.
The First Native American Day is celebrated on September 23 honoring American Indians.
The American oil tycoon, John D. Rockefeller, became the world’s first billionaire on September 29.
And, finally, on September 16, little Miss Margaret Watson Atkinson was born.
(L) Little Miss Margaret Watson Atkinson, born on September 16, 1916, enjoys life on her favorite rocky shores…(Special Photo Courtesy of Bill Pentecost). (R)…Margaret as a youngster. (Special Photo Courtesy of Bill Pentecost)
Mrs. Pentecost at her recent 106th birthday party in Dacula. (Gwinnett Citizen Photos by Randy Louis Cox and Lanie Lessard-Cox) “Celebrating God’s Faithfulness…It’s Our Family Reunion Fix…’cause Grandma’s 106!” proclaims the large banner attached to 1-0-6 balloons to herald the joyous occasion as Mrs. Pentecost was surrounded by multi-generational descendants at a recent birthday gathering in Little Mulberry Park near Dacula.
With her face aglow, the birthday lady, who lives in Ringgold with her daughter and son-in-law, Lois and Ken Anderson, showed excitement and joy on her face as she admired her family gathered to celebrate, 57 in all who came from 10 different states to attend the event.
“I love them,” she said, “Every single one of them.”
And her secret to a long life is quite simple: “I have a wonderful secret. The Lord Himself…He guides me and leads me and gives me the thrill of such a happy day,” she said.
…a postcard with photos of the TSS (Turbine Steam Ship) Cameronia, which transported Margaret, her mother and sister from Scotland to the United States in 1924. (Special Photo Courtesy of Bill Pentecost).
…as a young adult on a special occasion. (Special Photo Courtesy of Bill Pentecost).In 1924, Mrs. Pentecost traveled with her mother and sister from Scotland to the U.S. aboard the TSS (Turbine Steam Ship) Cameronia, landed at Ellis Island, New York, and then took a train to California, where they settled with their father.
After she graduated from high school, Margaret was asked to help in an orphanage in Mexico. While working at the orphanage, she met and married Edward Pentecost. The couple served as missionaries with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, working with students from the University of Mexico.
After 28 years with the Fellowship, Edward took a teaching position at the Philadelphia College of Bible, moving to Aldan, Pennsylvania in 1962. Ten years later, the couple journeyed to California to pursue doctoral studies in Missiology at Fuller Seminary. Edward then accepted a professorship at Dallas Theological Seminary, where Margaret was instrumental in ministering to student wives.
After retirement, they were invited to serve at the Word of Life Seminary in Atibaia, Brazil for three months, but ended up staying there for three years before returning to the U.S.
The couple settled in Florida, where they shared their life together until 1999, when Edward passed away at 82. Subsequently, Margaret has lived in different parts of the country with her children, eventually settling in Georgia.
Mrs. Pentecost said many things have changed since she was born, especially in the field of technology. She remembers her father hooking up some wires to her bed springs when she was a child. They could hear some crackling voices, and he said, “That is what they call radio.”
Mrs. Pentecost shown with her three grown children: William (Bill) Pentecost, Lois Pentecost Anderson, and John Edward Pentecost.
She enjoys playing with her great-great grandchildren Sierra and David (DJ) (twins) and Chloe.
Bill Pentecost making announcements at the party.She and Edward were blessed with four children: Edna, who died as a child, William R. (Bill) Pentecost (spouse Ruth), Lois Pentecost Anderson (spouse Ken), and John Edward Pentecost (spouse Ruth).
Bill, Lois, and Mrs. Pentecost lifting their voices in song during festivities.Their offspring contributed to a prolific family tree. Bill and Ruth’s children are: Scott (Laura), Ginny Grover (Allen), Jonathan (Melissa), and Alan (Arthur), who was unable to attend.
All of Lois and husband Ken’s six children made the party: Eshtan Sahu (Arun), Lynette Brownlee (Val), Hans (Rachel), Nathaniel (Claudia), Arthur (Angela), and Jonathan (Danielle).
John and Ruth enjoyed being with their children, Kelsey (Brandon) and Heather (with friend Michael).
All of Margaret’s great grandchildren except Alyssa were present: Rachael Smiley (Wayne), David (Edmonda), Kristan, Ryan, Logan, Sarah, Dan, Emily, Kayla, Aiden, Zoey, Joseph, Hosanna, James, Joanna, Teddy, Josiah, David, Juliet, Joaquin, Luciana, Keegan, and Declan. And, finally, the three great-great grandchildren: Chloe, and twins David (DJ) and Sierra.
Festivities included a Chick-Fil-A luncheon, songs, scripture readings, and the surprise gift of an accordion, an instrument she once owned and played. Mrs. Pentecost thrilled her family as she performed for them.
In years past, she has enjoyed playing the piano, particularly hymns, gospel, and classical music. While her eyesight isn’t what it once was, she still sits at her piano from time to time and plays her favorites from memory—just one demonstration that she still has a lot of life and adventure ahead.
Grandchild Arthur Anderson reads Bible scripture to the group.
