Oldest Living Cardinals Fan?

by rockin redbird on Nov 12, 2006 6:42 PM EST Comment 12 comments

An article appeared in today's local newspaper (The Charleston Times-Courier) celebrating the 108th birthday of resident Kathryn Byrd. Here's the pertinent part of the article:

"Kathryn Byrd's 108th birthday party will be her second celebration in less than a month. The first occurred on Oct. 27th when the Charleston woman stayed up late listening to the radio as her beloved St. Louis Cardinals won their tenth World Series.

Many of her neighbors at Lakewood Village were asleep, but Byrd's excitement kept her awake. 'I couldn't go to sleep,' Byrd said with a grin. 'I was 28 when they won their first World Series (in 1926), and I've been with them through thick and thin ever since.'

When asked if Byrd had her doubts about the team's performance this season, she said, 'I was worried but I stuck with them. I decided long ago I couldn't be the kind of fan who could leave them behind just because they were losing. My stubborness paid off again.' Byrd then laughed and proceeded to show off her large collection of Cardinals memorabilia, some of which dated back nine decades."

Wow. 108!! I don't know if that does make her the oldest living fan, but it's gotta be close. Happy Birthday, Kathryn. May we all be as stubborn in our love of our Cardinals.

0 recs | Comment 12 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

charleston, as in coles county?

"Seeing a great catch is like watching girls walk by, the last one you see is always the prettiest." Bob Gibson

by SchwabbaMoose on Nov 13, 2006 12:36 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well anyway I'm

catching up on her. 23 last month for me.

heh.

"Seeing a great catch is like watching girls walk by, the last one you see is always the prettiest." Bob Gibson

by SchwabbaMoose on Nov 13, 2006 12:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

by rockin redbird on Nov 13, 2006 2:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm literally

half-way there...54 yrs old on Championship Friday.

by cardsrul on Nov 13, 2006 1:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Happy

First Half, Cardsrul. May you see 10 more on your way thru the second half!

by rockin redbird on Nov 13, 2006 2:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I grew up in...

I grew up in Oakland, Illinois. Charleston 'burbs really. My mom and dad's family all grew up in the Coles Douglas Edgar County Trifecta.

Bonus Points if you can tell me where Yellow Hammer (Yella Hammer) is.

"Seeing a great catch is like watching girls walk by, the last one you see is always the prettiest." Bob Gibson

by SchwabbaMoose on Nov 13, 2006 3:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hmmmm...

Nope, can't think of where Yellow Hammer is... but I do know Oakland well. I often watched Cardinals games at a bar called The Place in Ashmore, which (as you know) is about halfway between Charleston and Oakland. It was owned by a totally obsessive Birdfan named JB Gough, who was tragically killed in a car wreck in August. He would've loved the way this year ended. At least he's there forever in spirit on the brick we all bought in front of Busch 3.

by rockin redbird on Nov 13, 2006 11:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

28 in 1926...

That just amazes me. The wife and I are selling the house and relocating to Boston, her hometown. Our relator was telling us about his neighbor who is 96 and lived in her house her whole life. Being a history major, I was doing the math. The 108 lady would have been 47 when World War II ended! She was 65 when JFK was assinated! To me, that's just amazing to think about the life changes she's seen. Here's wishing her good health.

by Brock20 on Nov 13, 2006 8:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

yeah, my wife's grandmother

died a few years ago at 104. . . . she vividly remembered her parents' trip to the st louis world's fair in 1904. was just 6 years old, got left behind with a relative while they went on this trip of a lifetime. nearly 100 years later, i think she still felt bitter about getting left behind.

by lboros on Nov 13, 2006 3:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yellow Hammer...

Is in the sticks, located on the banks of the Embarras. It's a place you can get lost in REAL easy. Mammoth deer though.

I grew up on a farm about 2 miles down the road from the white Antioch Church that's on the Oakland/Ashmore Road, uh that's about half a mile from where you run parallel to Walnut Point.

"Seeing a great catch is like watching girls walk by, the last one you see is always the prettiest." Bob Gibson

by SchwabbaMoose on Nov 13, 2006 4:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Did you

happen to know the Bruce family? They have a place out that way--great dove and turkey hunting. How the heck have I missed Yellow Hammer all these years??

by rockin redbird on Nov 14, 2006 1:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs