BY SARAH STEPHENS
OWNER/EDITOR OF ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
PHOTOS FROM MILLBROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT, LARRY CAVER
MILLBROOK – Knowing their resident, Lee Audis Gaines, was going to celebrate her 100th birthday in April, Autumn Place Assisted Living staff began planning the “Big Day” quite some time ago. With the COVID-19 Pandemic those plans changed, sadly. However, staff along with Gaines’ friends and family were determined to mark the day in a special way.
Enter the Millbrook Fire Department, who served up Gaines with a very special treat, socially distanced of course, due to virus restrictions. A parade rolled by Autumn Place on Tuesday, with lots of waves and love to mark 100 years of life, love and loving her community.
“(Autumn Place) had to change plans as to not risk any of their residents to a possible exposure so they asked us to do a drive by parade for her birthday. It took place yesterday evening,” Doyle Campbell, with the Millbrook Fire Department said.
We appreciate the Department for supplying us photos of the parade.
Thank you Larry Caver with the Old Autauga Historical Society! The EAN appreciates the following information from Caver, who is a very special keeper of Autauga County history:
“Lee Audis Gaines was born April 7, 1920, at the old Browning homeplace near Vine Hill Presbyterian Church in Western Autauga County. Her parents were William McKinley Browning and Leta Apperson. Her parents married prior to the start of WWI. Her father served in France during WWI. Their first child, Annie Mae Browning (wife of Orville Williams), was born after William’s deployment to Europe.
Once the war ended, he returned home to his young family at Vine Hill. In 1920, their second child, Lee Audis, was born.
The old homeplace was located near Vine Hill Church. It was located one mile south of the Chilton County line. Nearby neighbors included the Ousley Family. About a mile away from their home was the old Red Hill School House where Lee Audis attended until its closure during her fourth grade year. She is a 1938 graduate of Billingsley School and was Homecoming Queen that same year.
She married Bill Gaines who was Captain of the football team, and he later became mayor of Autaugaville.
Growing up, Gaines’ family attended church at Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church. They rode to church each Sunday in a one-seat buggy pulled by the family mule.”
We understand that Ms. Gaines is extremely knowledgeable of Autauga County History, and a true treasure. The EAN would love to hear your stories Ms. Gaines. But for now, and most of all, we wish you a very Happy Birthday and want you to stay safe and healthy, along with your friends at Autumn Place in Millbrook.
Thank you to ALL who were able to find a safe way to celebrate this remarkable woman’s special day.
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