100: Giving flowers… Etta Irving Day

In my church at St. Peter’s, one of the lessons that is shared is the following: give a person their flowers while they are here. It certainly applies when one has reached the rare milestone of 100 years, and it was an honor to attend the 100^th birthday celebration of Sis. Etta Irving at the Crystal Community Center on June 28 to give her her flowers.

Etta Norwood Irving was born on June 28, 1924 in Eutaw, Alabama to Cora and Frank Norwood. The fruit of her marriage to Harold Irving was 7 children, 18 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. She is a longtime member of St. Peter’s AME Church in south Minneapolis, and she has been a resident of Crystal for 40-plus years. She is a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and her commitment to community service and her church sets a beautiful example.

In a proclamation by the City of Crystal, we learn that Sis. Etta has been active in St. Peter’s as an usher, class leader, and a missionary. When it comes to her interests, the proclamation states that she “enjoys watching and listening to sports, reading, and living life as a wonderful, loving person with a generous heart.”

In honor of this milestone, the City of Crystal proclaimed June 28 as Etta Irving Day. Over cake and ice cream, it was a pleasure to see all the attendees present for this celebration, and Sis. Etta was so pleased at the tributes made by her family and people whose lives she has touched over the years. When asked about the secret to her long life, she smiled and said, “Have faith in God.”  Her answer generated a hearty round of applause.

In keeping with her community service, a book drive has been established in her honor to continue to promote literacy for children in the community through St. Peter’s AME. Truly, Sis. Etta has beauty in heart and in spirit.

Yes, Sis. Etta, you are one of our queens. We thank you and we are so grateful for the precious gift of God that you are. And thank you to all who made this day special.

PROCLAMATION

RECOGNIZING ETTA IRVING’S 1QQTH BIRTHDAY AND JUNE 28, 2024, AS ETTA IRVING DAY

WHEREAS, longevity of life is a blessing for an individual and for a community that benefits from the knowledge, creativity, and experiences this individual brings to all; and

WHEREAS the City of Crystal recognizes with respect and admiration the contributions of our special senior citizens, such as Mrs. Etta Irving, who was born on June 28, 1924, in Eutaw, Alabama to Cora and Frank Norwood; and

WHEREAS, Etta married Harold Irving, and together raised a family that includes 7 children, 18 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Etta Irving has lived in the City of Crystal for more than 40-plus years, and according to her family, is a beautiful example of how we should live our lives; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Irving has devoted many years of service as an active member of St. Peter’s

A.M.E. Church, where she has served as a class leader, an usher, and a missionary; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Irving enjoys watching and listening to sports, reading, and living life as a wonderful, loving person with a generous heart. She willingly gives to her church, many charities, and anyone in need. She readily shares her knowledge, advice, and words of encouragement; and

WHEREAS, on behalf of the citizens of the City of Crystal, we express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Mrs. Etta Irving, as we honor your 100th birthday on June 28, 2024.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jim Adams, Mayor of the City of Crystal, do hereby recognize Etta Irving on her 100th birthday and proclaim that June 28, 2024, as Etta Irving Day in Crystal; We join with family and friends in honoring Etta and extend our heartfelt best wishes for a happy birthday and best wishes for many more to come

Dated this 18th day of June 2024.