Evelyn ‘Me-Maw’ Munford turns 100
Published 3:59 pm Monday, November 7, 2022
Zeke Traylor, husband to Evelyn Munford’s granddaughter, Adrienne, reads a statement on Munford’s life at her 100th birthday party. (Photo by Stephen Faleski | The Smithfield Times)
Munford’s oldest daughter, the late Ann Munford Murden, got married in 1966 in the same Isle of Wight Ruritan Clubhouse where Munford’s descendants hosted her 100th birthday party. (Submitted photo)
Pictured from left are Herbert, Elton, Susan, Ann and Evelyn Munford at Ann's 1966 wedding. (Submitted photo)
This undated photo, likely from sometime in the 1960s, shows Evelyn Munford, left, with her daughter, Ann. (Submitted photo)
Evelyn “Me-Maw” Munford doesn’t have a secret for her longevity.
“I thank God,” said Munford, who turned 100 on Nov. 6. “If I have Him on my side, I have it all.”
She was born Evelyn Virginia Edwards to Luberta Wrenn Gwaltney and Lloyd Lafayette Edwards in 1922 in Smithfield. She married the late Herbert Elton Munford in 1941 and had three children: Susan Huber, the late Evelyn “Ann” Munford Murden and the late Herbert “Herbie” Munford II.
Four generations of Munford’s descendants, some from as far away as Georgia, returned to the Isle of Wight Ruritan Clubhouse on Nov. 7 to celebrate Munford’s birthday.
The location holds sentimental value for Munford. It’s where her oldest daughter, Ann, married her husband, Dr. E. Aubrey Murden Jr., in 1966.
Munford’s granddaughter Adrienne Traylor helped organize the event. Traylor, one of six children born to Ann, said Munford now has a 3-year-old great-great-granddaughter.
Traylor estimated more than 90 in attendance, including Munford’s descendants and members of the Isle of Wight Christian Church congregation, where Munford has been a longtime member.
A lifelong resident of Isle of Wight County, Munford has seen the area change substantially over the years.
“Some of it good, some of it not,” Munford said.
The reunion was marred by the passing of Susan’s husband a day earlier. Despite the loss, Munford was in good spirits for the occasion.
“All these people here today shows that I’ve had a good life,” Munford said.
