Commerce, Texas -- What changes would someone born in 1915 have seen in the world? Did you ever hear of the Teapot Dome Scandal of 1922-23? Do you know anyone who remembers reading the headlines when Charles Lindbergh made the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927? What would it be like to live through the Great Depression that began in 1929?

An event where the answers to these and many similar questions could be had took place on December 1. First United Methodist Church of Commerce honored its church members who have attained the age of ninety years. The gathering took place at the “First Thursday Potluck” luncheon. Each of the honorees received a Christmas ornament and a note from minister Valarie Englert.

Seated left to right are Helen Dickson, Otha Spencer, Pete Robinson and Euple Walker. Standing left to right are Joe McMahan, Margaret Floyd and Volley R. “Doc” Dooley.

You need go no further than ninety-six-years-old Pete Robinson to answer many of the questions about U.S. and world history. She lived through them and can remember them all. But Pete’s not alone. She has several peers in the area who remember the same events. 

Others who have experienced tremendous changes during their lives include a peer group that met to share their experience and experiences with others in the community. This year’s church member honorees were Joe McMahan (90), Johnnie Robertson (90), Helen Dickson (91), Margaret Floyd (91), Otha Spencer (91), Norma McNew (92), Euple Walker (93), Lucille Pemberton (94), and Pete Robinson (96). Volley R. “Doc” Dooley, ninety years old, was a visiting honoree.

Euple Walker says, “I was six years old when I came to Texas. I got off the train in Fairlie and I’ve been here ever since.”

When asked what major changes in life she remembered, Euple replied “Hand picking the cotton was hard. I remember when the mechanical cotton pickers came in. My husband worked at the gin. I was sad of course when cotton went out, but soy beans and wheat are much easier and make more money. It was a hard job to do cotton.”

A recent resident to Commerce is Joe McMahan. Joe and his wife Mary Louise moved here from McKinney in July and quickly became members of FUMC of Commerce.

“We enjoy the church, the services, and those in our Sunday School class,” Joe said. “There were lots of changes compared to McKinney, but we finally have gotten things settled down.”