It’s not everyday that the staff at Covenant Hospice gets the opportunity to put on a birthday party for a patient who is turning 106, but that’s exactly what they did for Amanda Wilcox of Mobile, Alabama. Wilcox, dressed in her mint green dress, a wrap made by Covenant Hospice volunteers and black hat, was surrounded by her four surviving children and the Covenant Hospice team to celebrate the big occasion.

Robert James Wilcox Sr. was singing his mother’s praises, “We all just feel truly blessed to have our mother around this long,” said Wilcox. Born in 1904, Amanda Wilcox was married to the late Theo Wilcox, and together they tended to a 40 acre farm in Wilcox County, Alabama. They had eight children together, and Wilcox’s children say that Mrs. Wilcox’s strong faith, active lifestyle and strong work ethic on the farm have attributed to her long life.

Wilcox’s eldest daughter, Maggie Young, remembers being jealous of her siblings. “My mother was such a special lady, that I did not want to share her with my brothers and sisters. I wanted to continue to be the baby.” Wilcox had a total of eight children and the tradition of a large family continues to this day. She now has 58 grandchildren and over 20 great-grandchildren all living in or around the Mobile area. “She is the glue that holds this family together,” said Althia Carlton, Wilcox’s granddaughter.

According to Wilcox’s daughter and primary caregiver Georgia, “My mother taught us to live right, and that you had to put faith and family first.” The Wilcox family has grown a little bigger over the past few years, as the staff of Covenant Hospice in Mobile have been welcomed into this loving family. “The staff has become the backbone of this family, and I can’t thank them enough,” said Georgia.

The Covenant Hospice staff arrived at the Wilcox home with balloons and of course a birthday cake, which the birthday girl saw as a blessing, “You are all so special for doing this for me, and for caring for me,” said Wilcox. “I can just sit back and enjoy.” And enjoy herself she did. After taking a bite of her birthday cake, this 106 year old commented, “Now that’s a blessing.”