Resident turns 105
SIKESTON -- Ms. Mattie Sharkey celebrated her 105th birthday Dec. 22 at her daughter's home in Sikeston.
Sharkey grew up in Mississippi but moved to Portageville in 1929 with her husband.Together they farmed and raised five daughters until he died in 1937. She continued farming and raising her family. Today, one daughter, Eliza Strickland, lives with her in Sikeston, two live in Chicago and two preceded her in death.
A member of the Zion Rock Baptist Church while she lived in Portageville, Sharkey served on the New Madrid County Heart Health Coalition. She has been involved in church and community activities her entire life. She enjoys attending church services and family activities when she is able. Her granddaughters report that she has enjoyed traveling with them and their families as they visit such places as Hawaii, Las Vegas, Tunica, Miss., and Nassau. Today, they continue to care for her at home with a little assistance from Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Missouri.