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By Kris Harrell

Greenville resident Gertrude Fails-Payne recently celebrated her 100th birthday, commemorating the day surrounded by friends, family and guests in the event center in Greenville. 

The celebration organized by Fails-Payne’s granddaughter Nathania Walters, was held on Dec. 22, 2024. Catered by Wana’s Catering and Event Services.   

“I was excited from the time it was being planned up until it actually happened,” said Faye Booker, Fails-Payne’s daughter. “I’m glad that [the guests] thought that much of her to want to attend, to help us celebrate her big moment in life.”

Fails-Payne greeted over 100 guests at her birthday celebration, loved ones ranging from the ages of 21 months to 86-years-old. 

Additionally, some of these guests traveled from across America to attend the event. Guests from Alabama, California, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas had arrived in Greenville to help celebrate the occasion. 

“We were ecstatic that so many people showed up, and there were some that were not extended an invitation but heard about the party and came,” Walters said. “We had more than enough room and more than enough food for everyone there.”

In addition to family and friends, Kenneth Crum, founder of Butler County Concern Citizens, was a keynote speaker during the celebration. Crum also gifted Fails-Payne a portrait of herself. 

Fails-Payne also received plaques, certificates and greetings from the city of Huntsville, city of Montgomery, Roxanna Missionary Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Montgomery and the Tuskegee Airmen.

“During the occasion, my cousin noted that she made it through World War II, survived the Vietnam War, [went] through the Civil Rights Movement [and] [saw] the first black president,” Walters said. “Growing up she’s come from working in the cotton fields [and] the sewing factory. She was part of the voting registration with Butler County and raised seven children who all were college graduates.”

Alongside her celebration, Fails-Payne was recently named the Grand Marshal of the Butler County Concern Citizen’s MLK Day Parade. While she will not be in attendance, Walters and her great-granddaughter Ava Walton will be riding in the parade in her honor in the parade on Jan. 20.