[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 33 (Thursday, February 26, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING BRUNETTE CRAWFORD NELMS ON HER 105TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2015

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, we often stand in awe of those who reach 
their 100th birthday. Well Brunette Crawford Nelms turns 105 this 
March! She is truly a glowing example of strength and a life well-
lived. Her life motto has five points: live well, learn a lot, laugh 
often, love much, and let your life shine. She attributes her good 
fortune throughout her life to the goodness of God and his watchful 
care. ``If you are not thinking about it,'' Brunette says, ``time will 
slip by before you realize it.''
  Brunette's legacy is one framed by American tradition and innovation, 
love, education, faith, patriotic duty, pride and joy. Brunette 
remembers days of buggies and travel on horseback. She grew up on a 
cotton farm in Ashland, Mississippi. She remembers gramophones, Model-T 
Fords, washboards, the first planes and the first radios. At the end of 
WWI, Brunette watched celebrations of the armistice with her twin 
Blondie. Brunette began teaching school in her early 20s. She taught 
during the year and attended summer school until she finished her 
degree from the University of Alabama in 1937. A short time later, 
Brunette married W.C. Nelms. Once WWII began, the majority of 
Brunette's family, including Nelms, served in the Armed Forces. As 
noted on one of his medals, ``Major W.C. Nelms' invaluable service and 
diligent devotion to duty reflect great credit to him and the Armed 
Forces of the United States.'' The war ended and Brunette and Nelms had 
two children. Brunette continued to teach elementary school for 14 more 
years and retired in 1974. She enjoyed 20 years of retirement with her 
dear husband and family in Clinton, Mississippi until his passing. In 
2005, Brunette moved to the great state of Tennessee, where she now 
resides in Memphis with family.
  As we celebrate Brunette's 105th birthday, we celebrate her faith, 
her health and the innumerable lives touched by her thoughtful 
teaching, optimism and friendship. I rise today to honor Brunette Nelms 
and ask my colleagues to join with me in thanking her for her 105 years 
of patriotic contribution and service.

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