Reaching the century mark is a major accomplishment. To put it into perspective, over the course of Duncan resident, Evideen Shaw’s life, there have been 18 different occupants of the White House, she remembers how both World Wars affected her and her family, she has lived through two centuries and witnessed first hand the evolution of transportation, from horse and buggy to automobiles and airplanes and on Jan. 19, she will delve into triple digits.

Shaw will celebrate her birthday from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at 806 Harville Road in Duncan. Shaw’s daughter, Noradeen Horgan and Sharon and Tommie Myers are hosting the centennial celebration.

Shaw was born in Sayre to Joseph and Nora Armbruster in 1910. She was raised on a farm in the Indian Creek community. She lived within walking distance of the school she attended until her eighth-grade year.

“I was five when I remember going to school while World War I was raging, they were about to call all the married men into service,” Shaw said. “It would have affected my father, I remember my mother and him talking about it.”

Upon completion of the eighth grade, Shaw enrolled in Carter High School. Shaw rode a horse four miles to CHS every day. During her high school days, Shaw recalls that her family was one of the first in the community to own a Model T Ford.

“My father drove it through the barn a couple times,” Shaw recalled.

“He would have to crank it and wouldn’t put the brake on fast enough and through the wall he went!”

Shaw was in her twenties when the Great Depression hit. “Things were really bad then,” Shaw said. “It wasn’t too different then what we have now. People couldn’t get a job and you had people walking to town, it was just bad.”

The Dust Bowl added insult to injury by hampering American agricultural output.

“It was rough but we never went hungry.”

In 1937, Shaw went back to school to complete her post-graduate commercial studies. She graduated in 1938. Shaw began work at the Agricultural Adjustment Agency, a farm program that paid subsidies to farmers.

This was about the time Shaw met her future husband, Solomon Shaw. The initial relationship didn’t last long as Solomon Shaw was drafted into the military to serve one year. After he served his required year he returned to Oklahoma. His return was short, a week after his return Pearl Harbor was bombed. He enlisted and served in the 45th division until the end of the war.

Upon his return to Oklahoma, the couple married and moved to Marlow.

“We lived in the same house that Solomon was born in,” she said. The couple’s daughter, Noradeen was raised in that home.

A few years later the family moved to Duncan and Shaw began work at the State Highway Department, where she worked for 24 years before retiring in 1975. Shaw volunteered at Duncan Regional Hospital and helped organize the Evening Hour Extension Homemakers Club.

Shaw’s faith has always played an important role in her life. “One of the most important things of my life is when I accepted Jesus Christ when I was 17,” Shaw said. “I couldn’t have made it this far without Him.”

Shaw developed a love for music and has played piano and organ for more than 70 years.

“I took lessons during the Great Depression when lessons were 25 cents a piece,” Shaw said. “I had to stop playing. It depresses me because I can’t see the notes.”

Physically, Shaw is still going strong as she nears the century mark.

“I don’t have any aches or any pains. I have been healthy all 100 years.”

Shaw credits maintaining a good diet and staying busy to her longevity.

“I have great neighbors. They are always checking on me and helping me out with whatever I need.”

Emotionally, longevity can be difficult, “It’s hard seeing everyone you know pass away,” Shaw said.

“I just learned to keep busy though. Do all the good you can to all the people you can.”



— David Laughlin is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 144, or via e-mail at david.laughlin@duncanbanner.com.∆