By Rochelle McCracken
This year, Mrs. Betty Calvert turned 100 years young. In honor of her milestone birthday, her family gathered to celebrate in August. Sitting down with her, her son Rick and daughter in-law Karen, we talked about times gone by.
Betty was born on August 19th, 1919 and spent most of her childhood in the Follansbee area of West Virginia. When she was around seven or eight years old her father relocated the family to Waynesburg, PA for his job at Long’s Department store.
Betty’s memories of Greene County focus strongly on raising her family and working. When Betty was 14, her mother passed away, leaving Betty as caretaker and mother figure for her younger siblings. As an adult, she found employment with companies like A&P, GC Murphy’s and the Waynesburg High School cafeteria. While working at GC Murphy’s, she often took her oldest child, Rita, to work with her when Rita was very little. Rita would spend her time nestled under the counter while Betty worked. Betty eventually moved on to work at A&P as a cashier, where she was paid more. At A&P, she met her husband Haven Calvert, when he delivered bread from Hoge’s to A&P. Betty and Haven spoke often when he made deliveries to the store and he eventually asked Betty out on a date.
Haven and Betty spent most of their time with family at their home on Sugar Run Road. The garden was a family activity with much time spent on the front porch snapping beans, shucking corn and sharing stories. After harvesting the garden, the family moved onto canning. Cooking was one of Betty’s pleasures and Thanksgiving was a big event at the Calvert home. Betty proudly cooked up a storm for the gathered family.
Occasionally, the family would take a trip and loved the area of Bradford, PA, often visiting the shores of the close by Lake Erie. Other special moments were spent with Haven dancing. They were regulars at the Waynesburg firehall square dances.
Betty enjoyed the movie Dirty Dancing, watched Little House on The Prairie and was a big fan of John Wayne. Betty also enjoyed bird watching and her room is adorned with pictures of birds painted by her daughter, Christi. Through her years she has collected many items representing the birds she loves. Her favorite bird is the red cardinal.
While Betty watched the changes and growth of the Greene County area for the better of 90 years it was time spent with family and working in the area that have made the best memories of her life.