Cleburne County AlArchives News.....Randolph County born Charles Stephens Celebrates 104th Birthday.   December 21, 1961
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Linda Ayres http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007674 February 2, 2024, 7:41 pm

Cleburne News/Anniston Star December 21, 1961
By SAM JONES 
A new claim to the title, ''Oldest Person in Calhoun County," has arisen in the 
discovery of a Negro man 104 years old in the Choccolocco Valley. Charles 
Stephens, who was born Dec. 15, 1857, of slave parents, is having his 104th 
birthday today and will be honored by his family and friends next Sunday with a 
big gathering and dinner, at his home near Iron: City. 
"Uncle Charles" lives on the Earl Roberts farm with his second wife, Liza, and 
his stepdaughter, Carita McDaniel. 
The old eyes that have seen so much of the troubled world are not very bright 
anymore, and the ancient darkey's memory is fading. He spends most of his 
walking hours in the winter dreaming by the warm fireplace in the two-room 
cottage provided rent-free by his longtime friend Mr. Roberts.
But in spite of his failing vitality, Uncle Charles gets out of the house pretty 
often. 
He keeps up with the little business of his household and goes to church 
regularly. His disposition is pleasant, and he likes to talk about what he is 
able to recall of his life. 
Does he remember the Civil War? "I was just a little boy and I remember some of 
them coming back," Uncle Charles said. And the freeing of the slaves by 
President Lincoln? "I wasn't no size; was his only comment about this memorable 
occasion for his race.
He does remember that he was born in Randolph County, that his father's name was 
also Charles, and that he spent all but a few years of his life in Randolph, 
Cleburne and Calhoun Counties. He lived for a little while "over in Georgia." 
Uncle Charles has been a hard worker most of his life. For many years he managed 
a big farm in South Cleburne County for the late W. M. Blake, who was Earl 
Roberts' uncle.
"I've known Uncle Charles nearly all my life, and I'm 67 years old" Mr. Roberts 
said. 
He recalled that his first recollection of the old man was at about the age of 
15 when the Negro was running the Blake farm. 
"He would call my uncle 'Bill.' Mr. Roberts said.
''And Uncle Bill would treat him the same way. He would trust Uncle Charles with 
anything he had." he has lived ever since. He first lived at Choccolocco, then 
moved to White Plains" About 15 years ago Mr. Roberts let him move into the 
house on his place.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert have looked after the old man and his wife ever since. Most 
of the information about the Negro was supplied by the Roberts. 
Uncle Charles has seven children, they said.
They are William Stephens of Graham, Mary Ellen Chapman of Bremen, Ga., Prudy 
McCullough of Massillon, Ohio, Litha Ann Carter of Anniston, and James A. 
Stephens, Robert Elmer Stephens and Ruthie Jordan of Heflin. 
When the old Negro couple first moved to the Roberts place Uncle Charles was 
able to work. He would garden and do various job around the place. But he hasn't 
been able to work in several years, although he can walk fairly well with a 
stick.
Neither he nor Liza can read or write, the Roberts said. The proof of Uncle 
Charles' age was taken from remnants of his old family Bible, which has now been 
lost entirely. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts took the birth, record to the Welfare 
Department when Uncle Charles applied for assistance in the 1940s.
The department's county office verified that tie record was authentic, and that 
the old Negro was indeed born on Dec. 15, 1857. On his 100th birthday four years 
ago the family had a big birthday dinner for him, and Mrs. Roberts remembers 
"the place was covered up with people and lots of white folks came too." His 
regular church is in Cleburne County, and. he makes the trip about once a month 
to the Mountain Grove Baptist Church, near Howle and Turner's store.
Other Sundays when he is able, they go to the meeting at Iron City Negro church.
Joe Johnson and many of his Cleburne friends are expected for the celebration 
Sunday. Uncle Charles doesn't know how he has been able to live so long. But he 
said he had drunk a little whisky and he always tried to live right. "Ain't 
nothing better than milk and bread," he said from his fire side chair. And 
Although 104 years is a long, long time, be hopes he can live a lot longer, he 
told his departing visitors.

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