A crowd of scores gathered at Food For Thought on Saturday applauded and cheered as Freddie Demings was wheeled into the ballroom along a red carpet to his table to begin celebrating his 100th birthday.
Nearly 50 guests were made up of his children, including Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren along with their spouses, who huddled to take a family photo with their family patriarch, who turns 100 on Monday.
“What you see here is his legacy,” said Courtney Demings, one of more than a dozen grandchildren. “… We are just thankful. To God be all the glory for him making it to 100 years.”
Karla Rutherford-Welch, another granddaughter, listed other things that marked 100 years of existence this year — the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial, the founding of Reader’s Digest, the birth of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the first successful injection of insulin.
“But for our family, Freddie Demings became and all of us come from that birth, which is a mighty blessing,” she said.
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Born Sept. 12, 1922, in Luverne, Ala., Freddie Demings and his family eventually moved to Apopka, where he held jobs driving fruit trucks and taxis while raising several children, encouraging them to pursue their education. Recently reelected as Orange County mayor, Jerry Demings points to him as a guiding light throughout his career.
At the birthday celebration, his grandchildren shared memories of the elder Demings, from teaching his children and grandchildren how to fish to instilling his love of cards. Packs of playing cards sat at all the tables for guests, a nod to the game solitaire, a pastime of his.
They also spoke to his relationships with each of them, helping raise them as young children and later becoming a mentor as adults.
“You’ve been a marriage counselor to me, you’ve been a homeboy to me. … He’s laughed a lot at me,” said Antoine Demings, self-proclaimed “granddaddy’s favorite.” “I don’t think he’s ever cursed at me as a child, but as an adult there’ve been a couple of choice words. But I receive it and I appreciate it because you keep me straight.”
The celebration included the reading of proclamations from the Orange County government and the City of Orlando declaring Monday “Freddie Lee Demings Day.” Also read was a letter from President Joe Biden wishing the centenarian a happy birthday.
“As a part of the Greatest Generation, you have helped define the best of who we are as Americans,” the president’s letter said. “Throughout your century of life, you have embodied the values of hard work, faith and love for your family. I hope you enjoy your celebration, reflecting on the cherished memories you have made.”
creyes-rios@orlandosentinel.com
