North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By Ruben Lowman
The Conference Center at Barefoot Resort in North Myrtle Beach became a living time capsule recently as the Horry County Council on Aging hosted a birthday celebration that defied the odds.
The gathering brought together six local centenarians whose combined lives represent 618 years of American history. While the event centered on the 107th birthday of Loris resident Sallie Kapps, it served as a broader tribute to a generation that has navigated a century of radical global change.
The six guests of honor, all aged 101 or older, represent a diverse array of experiences that helped shape the 20th century. Sallie Kapps, born in 1919, remains a pillar of the Loris community, having spent decades volunteering and earning a Lifetime Achievement Award long before reaching her current milestone.
Beside her sat Irene Wagner, 103, a former Rosie the Riveter who moved to California at age 18 to work on military aircraft during the height of World War II.
The stories continued with Chanelle McKee, 101, who traveled from France in 1945 to pursue a modeling career in New York, and Reba Tutor Willard, 105, a world traveler who spent years volunteering for the March of Dimes.
The group also included Carl Halberg, 101, a World War II Army veteran and former minor league baseball player, and Clara J. Hurley, 101, who celebrated a remarkable 70-year marriage.
Director Connie Munn of the South Carolina Department on Aging personally presented each centenarian with a certificate of achievement. During the ceremony, Munn emphasized the importance of these individuals continuing to share their narratives so their wisdom is not lost to younger generations.
HCCOA Director Elaine Gore mirrored this sentiment, presenting each honoree with an ornament defining a centenarian as a guardian of history and a beacon of endurance.
The tribute extended beyond the room to include three residents who could not attend: Joanne Funney, 103, who once worked at the historic Ocean Forest Hotel; Isabel Tomb, 102, a lifelong music teacher and choir member; and Wayne K. Clary, 101. Clary’s history is particularly striking, as he recalled his service in the Merchant Marines during the war, where he wore asbestos gloves to catch hot shells ejected from cargo ship guns.
The event highlighted not just the age of these residents, but their ongoing independence and vitality. From dancing and piano playing to community service, these nine individuals serve as a reminder that age is secondary to the spirit of perseverance.
As the county continues to grow and change, this rare gathering at North Myrtle Beach provided a moment of reflection on the endurance and character of those who saw the Grand Strand through its very first century of development.
