A 105th birthday celebration is planned for Mrs. Inez Shanks, who will celebrate this momentous birthday on Aug. 11.
Mrs. Shank was born on Aug. 11, 1920 in Wilkes County in Washington, Ga. Her parents were Otis and Ida McLendon. She was the only girl of four children. Mrs. Shank was baptized at an early age at Reeves Chapel Baptist Church in Tignall, Ga.
At the age of 21 she married John Henry Shank. To this union, one daughter, Ernestine Shank Horton (deceased), was born.
They celebrated almost 50 years of marriage until his death in 1986.
Mrs. Shank was a caregiver and domestic employee who worked for several prominent employers. Some of the adult children that she helped raise still keep in contact with her.
She is the oldest member of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, where she attends Sunday School, and was a member of the Women’s Missionary Society.
Mrs. Shank learned to drive at age 65, after the death of her husband, and drove until she was 90 years old. She loves the outdoors, and cut her yard well into her 80s. She has a green thumb, grows beautiful flowers and loves people. She never meets a stranger.
Family will gather to celebrate Mrs. Shank on her birthday.