The year was 1925. Significant events that took place in the United States were the dedication of Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota, the debut of the silent horror film “The Phantom of the Opera,” Lou Gehrig’s “Ironman” streak started, and the Grand Ole Opry began broadcasting, helping elevate radio to a mass medium. 

Locally, another event took place that has been a blessing for many residents of Jackson Parish, and the surrounding area took place as well, when on December 7th of that year, Addie Pearl “Pep” Turner Lynde was born. 

This past Saturday, a host of family and friends gathered at the Quitman Community Church to honor “Pep” as she reached a rare milestone, the celebration of her 100th birthday. 

Born to Bill and Addie Turner of Quitman, LA, “Pep” graduated as valedictorian at Quitman High School in 1942. Two years later, she married Lowell F. Lynde, which led to the birth of four children: Lowell F. Lynde Jr., Gerald David “Sharkey” Lynde, Linda Particia Lynde, and Audrey Phyllis Lynde.

For 16 years, beginning in 1950, “Pep” owned and operated Quitman Valley Grocery before becoming a driver for the Jackson Parish Council on Aging in 1969. This led to her spending as much time as possible with family, as she enjoyed the birth of her seven grandchildren: Angela Diane Lynde, Mary Christina Love Harper, Christopher Love, Addie Love, Ronnie “Cowboy” Huckaby, Michael Lynde, and Kimberly Lynde Williams.

Nine great-grandchildren: Blain Walsworth, Bailey Walsworth, Solomon Harper, Zoee Williams, Rodney Williams, Declyn Williams, Max Toms, Joey Toms, and Scarlett Toms, and six great-great-grandchildren: Lyndon Walsworth, Lex Walsworth, Beckham Huckaby, Emmett Huckaby, Barrett Huckaby, and Evangeline Toms followed. 

In 2002, along with her son Lowell Jr., sister Bettye (Pate), and brother-in-law Aylon, “Pep” took the first of 17 cruises she has made and still takes a yearly family trip with her sons and daughters to Branson, MO. 

Still very active, “Pep” currently enjoys gardening, taking care of her grandchildren, visiting with family and friends, riding her 4-wheeler, watching her bluebirds, searching for her fortune on lottery scratch-offs, cooking and sewing.