a native of Southwest Arkansas who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., recently reached a milestone by turning 90 years old and had several parties to honor her. Willie Mae Muldrew, who lives in Hope, was born to Willie and Susie Garland in Emmet on January 15, 1923. she was one of three children, being the youngest. “My mother died when I was two and a half years old, so I was raised by everyone,” she said. “I lived with mrs. Snell in Emmet for some time while I was growing up. I went to school in Emmet and several different places. My Aunt Mary was also instrumental in my growing up.” Muldrew's father worked for the Missouri-Pacific Railroad and at a funeral home, among other places in the Hope-Emmet area. she met and married Elzie Muldrew, Sr., in Emmet, and the couple moved to Little Rock, where she attended beauty college. The couple then moved to Hot Springs, where she started her own beauty salon. The couple had two children while in Hot Springs, Deborah and Elzie, Jr. In 1950, the couple moved to Chicago, Ill., and there, Willie Mae opened another beauty salon. she named this salon “Bon-Capricorn,” and they lived in Chicago for 38 years. Muldrew was very active in her community, serving as president of the Federated Club and was queen of the Moon Glo Club. “As president of the Federated Club, four other clubs joined ours and we bought a house for black senior citizens,” she said. “they didn't have anyplace to go before we stepped in. I was also vice president of the PTA, and legislative chairman of the PTA. “I believe it was 1963 when Dr. King came to Chicago,” she said. “I marched with Dr. King and Jesse Jackson from Soldier Field to downtown, where he put a proclamation on the City Hall door. He put that proclamation on the door because a young boy from Arkansas was killed in his own bedroom by police. “I gave him water as we were marching from our church,” she recalls. “He told me 'Thank you sister.' I was a member of the Hyde Park Community Conference and we steered the Rev. King and the Rev. Jackson in the right direction. The Rev. Ed Riddick, my pastor, also marched with us.” Muldrew gave birth to another son in Chicago and named him Derek. “that is the only time I have ever been in the hospital in my life,” she said. “I have been very blessed to have good health all these years.” Her husband had also died in Chicago and in 1988, she decided to move back to Prescott. she was active in Prescott, being president of the local Prescott EHC, and participating in that club's many activities including EHC Council meetings, the Adopt-A-Highway Project, and the Red Cross Blood Drive. she was also a volunteer greeter at the Nevada County Fair Building and participated in the Toys that Teach workshop. she was also a member of the Ila Upchurch Corporation and served as vice president at one time. she was also ticket chairman for the banquet. she completed the Level I and Level II of the Train the Trainer Course administered through the UA Cooperative Extension Service and was awarded the Arkansas Traveler Ambassador award, given by Gov. Bill Clinton. Muldrew was a long-time member of the Prescott City Choir, a 20-year member of the District Choir, and served as Mother of St. Paul Baptist Church in Emmet for many years. she also worked with the Election Board in Nevada County, helping people get to the polls. she moved to Hope five years ago, and says, “I like living in Hope. I have good neighbors and I'm happy.” In may, 2011, she joined Haynes Chapel Baptist Church in Hope. with her being so active in life, Muldrew had several ideas as to why she lived to be 90 years old. “I think that Christian living has helped me reach my 90th birthday,” she said. “I never drank or smoked and the only time I have ever been in the hospital was when my son, Derek, was born. I would tell children and young people coming up today to mind your parents. I did what I was told, always. “Children need some training, common sense, and home training. 'Mother wit' is what they used to call it. I raised three beautiful children and none was ever in trouble with the law.” a huge celebration for Muldrew was held recently and over 100 of her friends and relatives were on hand. a teleconference was set up and relatives from many miles away were able to see the surprise on her face as she walked into the facility where her party was held. Her son, Derek, his wife, nine grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren were among those present. Congressman Mike Ross was invited, but could not attend. He sent a letter congratulating her on her birthday. “All I could say was 'Oh my goodness, I can't believe this is all for me,'” she said. “and then I said a big thank you to everyone. that was nice, that was real nice.”
a native of Southwest Arkansas who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., recently reached a milestone by turning 90 years old and had several parties to honor her. Willie Mae Muldrew, who lives in Hope, was born to Willie and Susie Garland in Emmet on January 15, 1923. she was one of three children, being the youngest. “My mother died when I was two and a half years old, so I was raised by everyone,” she said. “I lived with mrs. Snell in Emmet for some time while I was growing up. I went to school in Emmet and several different places. My Aunt Mary was also instrumental in my growing up.” Muldrew's father worked for the Missouri-Pacific Railroad and at a funeral home, among other places in the Hope-Emmet area. she met and married Elzie Muldrew, Sr., in Emmet, and the couple moved to Little Rock, where she attended beauty college. The couple then moved to Hot Springs, where she started her own beauty salon. The couple had two children while in Hot Springs, Deborah and Elzie, Jr. In 1950, the couple moved to Chicago, Ill., and there, Willie Mae opened another beauty salon. she named this salon “Bon-Capricorn,” and they lived in Chicago for 38 years. Muldrew was very active in her community, serving as president of the Federated Club and was queen of the Moon Glo Club. “As president of the Federated Club, four other clubs joined ours and we bought a house for black senior citizens,” she said. “they didn't have anyplace to go before we stepped in. I was also vice president of the PTA, and legislative chairman of the PTA. “I believe it was 1963 when Dr. King came to Chicago,” she said. “I marched with Dr. King and Jesse Jackson from Soldier Field to downtown, where he put a proclamation on the City Hall door. He put that proclamation on the door because a young boy from Arkansas was killed in his own bedroom by police. “I gave him water as we were marching from our church,” she recalls. “He told me 'Thank you sister.' I was a member of the Hyde Park Community Conference and we steered the Rev. King and the Rev. Jackson in the right direction. The Rev. Ed Riddick, my pastor, also marched with us.” Muldrew gave birth to another son in Chicago and named him Derek. “that is the only time I have ever been in the hospital in my life,” she said. “I have been very blessed to have good health all these years.” Her husband had also died in Chicago and in 1988, she decided to move back to Prescott. she was active in Prescott, being president of the local Prescott EHC, and participating in that club's many activities including EHC Council meetings, the Adopt-A-Highway Project, and the Red Cross Blood Drive. she was also a volunteer greeter at the Nevada County Fair Building and participated in the Toys that Teach workshop. she was also a member of the Ila Upchurch Corporation and served as vice president at one time. she was also ticket chairman for the banquet. she completed the Level I and Level II of the Train the Trainer Course administered through the UA Cooperative Extension Service and was awarded the Arkansas Traveler Ambassador award, given by Gov. Bill Clinton. Muldrew was a long-time member of the Prescott City Choir, a 20-year member of the District Choir, and served as Mother of St. Paul Baptist Church in Emmet for many years. she also worked with the Election Board in Nevada County, helping people get to the polls. she moved to Hope five years ago, and says, “I like living in Hope. I have good neighbors and I'm happy.” In may, 2011, she joined Haynes Chapel Baptist Church in Hope. with her being so active in life, Muldrew had several ideas as to why she lived to be 90 years old. “I think that Christian living has helped me reach my 90th birthday,” she said. “I never drank or smoked and the only time I have ever been in the hospital was when my son, Derek, was born. I would tell children and young people coming up today to mind your parents. I did what I was told, always. “Children need some training, common sense, and home training. 'Mother wit' is what they used to call it. I raised three beautiful children and none was ever in trouble with the law.” a huge celebration for Muldrew was held recently and over 100 of her friends and relatives were on hand. a teleconference was set up and relatives from many miles away were able to see the surprise on her face as she walked into the facility where her party was held. Her son, Derek, his wife, nine grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren were among those present. Congressman Mike Ross was invited, but could not attend. He sent a letter congratulating her on her birthday. “All I could say was 'Oh my goodness, I can't believe this is all for me,'” she said. “and then I said a big thank you to everyone. that was nice, that was real nice.”
She stood with King, 90 year old reflects on lifetime
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