Home Life Program
Happy 100th Birthday Madolyn Markham
Recap for those who missed the General meeting on Tuesday May 9, 2017
We had such fun talking and laughing while sharing old times with Madolyn as we learned about her life.
Her 100th birthday celebration began with members wearing hats in her honor, a huge cake, with son Mark and daughter-in-law Sherry, attending.
Born on June 27, 1917 on a farm in Ohio to Bert and Dolly Pickett, she loved farm life with 6 brothers and sisters, the animals, the one room school house, with cast iron heating, doing chores before and after school, square dancing and dances like the Charleston and Black Bottom (she copied from her sister).
At 22, she married Bob Markham of Ohio and had two sons, Bill and Mark. With Bob in the army, this remarkable woman packed Bill and their dog into her 1929 Desoto and headed south. She waited in Shreveport, LA while ordering another tire from the government - as most things were rationed during War times. She had 5 flat tires by the time they reached her uncle in Winter Haven, Florida.
They moved to South Florida to raise their boys in 1961. Broward Blvd was a 2-lane road that stopped at Annapoo Dr (later University). Son Bill started own band, “Bill Markham and the Jesters” with Mark later taking it over and renaming it. Plantation became their home in 1963. Bob opened a heavy equipment company on St Rd 84. Having no phones of their own, his neighbors happily tied into his business lines.
The next 41 years were hectic. Madolyn opened her own Madolyn’s Coiffure Designers in 1965 on Las Olas – and made it into a very “fru fru” salon. She attended all the political functions when Bob, 1963-66 and then Bill 1968 (36 years) were elected Broward County Property Appraiser. Even way back then, Madolyn was always seen everywhere in her “signature hats”!!
She married Branch Fleming in 1971. They traveled a lot in their RV for 17 years. Still involved, in 1998 the Broward County Fair saluted Madolyn as “First Lady of Broward” for all her contributions to her community - 1 of 10 women honored (as well as our own Marlene Lee).
Barbara and Gloria also presented her with a “Madolyn Markham Day” Proclamation from the Mayor and a framed letter of congratulations from Governor Rick Scott.
It was very sad that our 20+ year PWC member, Madolyn, was unable to join us on her special day as she was in the hospital for a short time. She did see it all later as Sherry made her a video and took photos and Mark gave her a copy of our speeches, the Proclamation and framed letter from the Governor.
HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY, MADOLYN !!!! So glad you are doing better!!!!
Gloria Merritt and Barbara Graveson
We had such fun talking and laughing while sharing old times with Madolyn as we learned about her life.
Her 100th birthday celebration began with members wearing hats in her honor, a huge cake, with son Mark and daughter-in-law Sherry, attending.
Born on June 27, 1917 on a farm in Ohio to Bert and Dolly Pickett, she loved farm life with 6 brothers and sisters, the animals, the one room school house, with cast iron heating, doing chores before and after school, square dancing and dances like the Charleston and Black Bottom (she copied from her sister).
At 22, she married Bob Markham of Ohio and had two sons, Bill and Mark. With Bob in the army, this remarkable woman packed Bill and their dog into her 1929 Desoto and headed south. She waited in Shreveport, LA while ordering another tire from the government - as most things were rationed during War times. She had 5 flat tires by the time they reached her uncle in Winter Haven, Florida.
They moved to South Florida to raise their boys in 1961. Broward Blvd was a 2-lane road that stopped at Annapoo Dr (later University). Son Bill started own band, “Bill Markham and the Jesters” with Mark later taking it over and renaming it. Plantation became their home in 1963. Bob opened a heavy equipment company on St Rd 84. Having no phones of their own, his neighbors happily tied into his business lines.
The next 41 years were hectic. Madolyn opened her own Madolyn’s Coiffure Designers in 1965 on Las Olas – and made it into a very “fru fru” salon. She attended all the political functions when Bob, 1963-66 and then Bill 1968 (36 years) were elected Broward County Property Appraiser. Even way back then, Madolyn was always seen everywhere in her “signature hats”!!
She married Branch Fleming in 1971. They traveled a lot in their RV for 17 years. Still involved, in 1998 the Broward County Fair saluted Madolyn as “First Lady of Broward” for all her contributions to her community - 1 of 10 women honored (as well as our own Marlene Lee).
Barbara and Gloria also presented her with a “Madolyn Markham Day” Proclamation from the Mayor and a framed letter of congratulations from Governor Rick Scott.
It was very sad that our 20+ year PWC member, Madolyn, was unable to join us on her special day as she was in the hospital for a short time. She did see it all later as Sherry made her a video and took photos and Mark gave her a copy of our speeches, the Proclamation and framed letter from the Governor.
HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY, MADOLYN !!!! So glad you are doing better!!!!
Gloria Merritt and Barbara Graveson