EUDORA — Tuesday saw Ida Newbill of Eudora make 111 years on this earth. In honor of the special occasion, a big turnout showed up to help her celebrate.
U.S. Congressman Rick Crawford said it was confirmed that day that Newbill is the oldest living person in Arkansas. Not only was she recognized locally, but a letter would be read into the Congressional Record in Washington, D.C., recognizing Newbill’s longevity.
“One hundred and eleven years is a pretty spectacular run for anyone,” Crawford said.
Among other well-wishers were Chicot County Judge Tom Mosley; Daniel Robbins, Arkansas Short Line Railroads vice president of marketing; members of the Eudora Fire Department and Chicot County sheriff’s office, along with church members and 10 of Newbill’s close relatives who traveled from as far away as Baton Rouge, La.
Two daughters, 90-year-old Augustine Terry and 88-year-old Ida Henderson were among them.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Born in 1914, just over two months after the start of World War I, Newbill has seen the world turned upside down and back again multiple times through the course of her days.
Mayor Tomeka Butler’s sister, Verlin Butler, read a proclamation declaring Oct. 14 as “Ida Newbill Day” in the city of Eudora.
Mosley presented her with a similar proclamation declaring the 14th as “Ida Newbill Day” for the entirety of Chicot County.
Each document recognized her birth on that date in the village of Gilbert in Franklin Parish, La., to Jim and Amada Brown. She wed Joseph Newbill Sr. in 1930 and they raised six children together.
Executive Director Patrecia Hargrove of the Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District (SEAEDD) read a letter from the district.
“Mrs. Newbill has lived a life marked by resilience, wisdom and unwavering grace, serving as a beacon of hope and strength to her family, friends and community. … May this letter serve as a testament to the profound respect and admiration we hold for Mrs. Ida Newbill and may it remind us of all the beauty and strength found in a life well-lived,” the letter said in part.
Newbill’s home sits beside the North Louisiana & Arkansas Railroad. Originally established in 1878 as the Memphis, Helena & Louisiana Railroad, it was acquired by the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad in 1901. Following three more mergers, the Delta Southern Railroad shut down and filed for abandonment in 2011.
In 2012, in conjunction with SEAEDD, North Louisiana & Arkansas Railroad purchased the 62-mile long line through an offer of financial assistance and reopened service between McGehee and Lake Providence, La., transporting agricultural products to the Mississippi River port.
“Our connection with Momma Ida is she came out in her yard every day to wave as we passed by because she loved the trains and was happy to see them run,” Robbins said.
In acknowledgement of her daily greetings to engineers and conductors, two locomotives, No. 22 and No. 703, were decorated with birthday banners and balloons, parked on the track in front of her home. Their crews and support staff took time from their busy schedule to join the celebration between runs.
The morning concluded with Newbill being presented with her favorite birthday pastry, a lemon cake. Her Lifetouch Health caregiver Inez Whitaker stated that Newbill had given her specific instructions how to milk the cow and churn the butter to make the cake.
