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Virginia Weakley, formerly of Bethany celebrated her 102nd birthday with a gathering at Copper Creek in Mattoon on Thursday, November 17. Pictured in front is Virginia’s daughter Jan Stevens, Virginia Weakley and in back is her grandson and son John.

•November 23 2022•
by Ellen Ferrera

On Thursday, November 17 some 20 friends and family members gathered at Copper Creek in Mattoon to help Virginia Weakley, formerly of Bethany, celebrate her 102nd birthday.
Her daughter, Jan Stephens, and son, John Weakley, were in attendance along with a grandson and longtime friends. Guitarist Bobby Reynolds serenaded Virginia with songs and led everyone in singing “Happy Birthday”.
This interview was conducted Saturday the 19th in her apartment where the tops of two dressers were completely covered with bouquets and more than 100 birthday cards. She found a large envelope and pulled out a handful of colorful, crayon-decorated birthday cards – one from every kindergarten student at Okaw Valley Elementary School and all handmade. These cards were an obvious delight for the former kindergarten teacher as she brought them out several times to admire them.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.