Our aged saints provide us with invaluable stories, information, and wisdom. They set examples for how we should live our lives with faith first. Below we highlight the lives of several of our aged saints.

Passing on the Faith

At 100 years old, Alice Washabaugh Wilson has seen and done many exciting things in her life, including learning to water ski at age 50. But “most importantly, Alice acknowledged her need of a Savior and gave her heart and life to Jesus Christ for His service.”

That is what her daughter Georgia McFarland (of the Topeka, Kan., RPC) said about her mother. “This personal relationship with Jesus Christ has remained strong through her entire life. At 100 years of age, Alice shares that the most exciting thing in her life is seeing the following generations growing up to be godly and good people, happy in the Lord.”

“From a child,” Georgia wrote, “church attendance was a very important thing to Alice and the Washabaugh family. As a result, a commitment to Jesus became a reality in all parts of her life. She and [her husband] Clarence were members of the Stafford RP Church, and, when it was disorganized, they drove the 45 miles to the Sterling RP Church.” Alice is still a member there today.

Alice was born in 1904. She grew up in Canonsburg, Pa., and learned to drive at age 16. In 1925, after one year of teaching, Alice enrolled at Geneva College. While there she made many friends that she kept all her life. After two years, she transferred to Edinboro State Teachers College, where she graduated in 1929 with a B.S. in art education. When she started teaching, Alice made $1,800 a year.

“Alice met her future husband, Clarence E. Wilson, while he was dating her older sister, Ruth,” Georgia wrote. “Clarence (‘C.E.’) would often come to their home in Canonsburg to visit Ruth. During that time, C.E. noticed that he enjoyed the things that Alice did and enjoyed doing them with her more than he did with Ruth. Eventually Ruth decided to marry another man. It was then that Alice wrote a letter to C.E. stating that she was sorry he was not going to be her brother-in-law.” After that, the couple began a courtship by letter, as C.E. had started a dental practice in Stafford, Kan., in 1929.

The couple married on July 26, 1934. They had two daughters, Georgia Ann (McFarland) and Virginia Irene (List). “According to Alice,” Georgia wrote, “one of the most enjoyable things about having two girls was the opportunity to sew clothes for them, something in which she took pleasure. She continued to sew even after her daughters were married, later making clothes for her granddaughters and great-granddaughters.”

Alice and C.E. loved to travel, and in their life together drove to all 48 contiguous states, took a cruise to Alaska, and made a trip to Hawaii. After her husband’s death in 1982, Alice continued to travel, visiting her daughter and her family in South Korea at age 80.

In her 80s, Alice picked up Indian jewelry making, which her husband had begun in his retirement. “In 1995 her entry of black onyx jewelry was selected as ‘Judges Choice–Best of Show’ in the annual Art of the Ages contest sponsored by the Kansas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging,” Georgia wrote. Her pieces continued to be selected for the statewide show for the next five years.

Georgia quoted this passage to describe her mother: “O God I have been taught by Thee even from my days of youth;/ and all the wonders Thou has done I still declare as truth./ So now, when I am old and gray, O God forsake me not,/ until Thy strength and power I have each generation taught” (Psalm 71:17-18, The Book of Psalms for Singing).

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A Thankful 97-Year-Old Grandma

Grandma Yayoiko Kato is a 97-year-old member of the Kasumigaoka RP Church in Kobe, Japan. She is the mother of Elder Kozo Kato and, by far, the oldest member of the congregation. Mrs. Kato faithfully attends worship services and the adult Bible class on the Lord’s Day. She is also an active participant in the weekly women’s Bible study and fellowship on Thursday mornings. Her family and all who know and love her marvel at her active lifestyle at such an advanced age. She is not only physically active, but also demonstrates an alert mind and spiritual vitality. The adjective that best describes the attitude and life of Grandma Kato is “thankfulness” (kansha in Japanese). When she prays, her expressions of thankfulness to God are too numerous to count. When she talks with family and friends, she continually expresses her thanks to God and to her church.

Grandma Kato has often been heard to say, “My hearing is not very good. I have difficulty seeing clearly. [She uses a large print Bible for personal and group reading and study.] And my brain doesn’t work as well as it used to. But I am so thankful to God for strong legs, so that I am able to go anywhere I want. Especially, I am thankful that I can come to God’s house to worship and fellowship with His people.”

The vitality of Mrs. Kato’s faith is also evident in her witness to family members and friends. Her younger sister, Mrs. Hattori (88 years old), made her profession of faith and was baptized in spring 2002. This was largely the result of the witness and encouragement of her elder sister, Grandma Kato, and other family members.

The description of the godly aged saint in Psalm 92 is an apt description of Grandma Kato as she continues to worship and serve her God with a thankful heart:

And in old age when others fade their boughs with fruit shall bend; They shall be green and flourishing, Their life in vigor end, To show that upright is the Lord; He is a rock to me, And He from all unrighteousness is altogether free.” (Psalm 92B, stanza 6)

—Jim Pennington, pastor, Kasumigaoka RP Church Kobe, Japan

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White Lake Member Celebrates 100th Birthday

Florence Lynn, the oldest member of the White Lake, N.Y., RPC, celebrated her 100th birthday with an open house in Walton, N.Y., on Oct. 16. The party took place in the house where she was born, where she now lives with her sister-in-law.

Born into the RP Church, Florence was a member at Walton RPC for many years before becoming a member of the White Lake RPC, where she served as treasurer for 25 years and was a deacon. She now attends the Walton RPC again.

Florence was a teacher for 34 years. She started teaching in a one-room schoolhouse, but spent most of her career teaching second grade.

Florence has one daughter, Joyce Lynn, who lives in Beaver Falls, Pa.

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Centenarian Publishes Book

MY FIRST 100 YEARS! A Look Back from the Finish Line,by R. Waldo McBurney, Leathers Publishing, 2004. Reviewed by Rev. Tom Reid.

Waldo McBurney is no stranger to readers of the Reformed Presbyterian Witness. A ruling elder in the Quinter, Kan., RPC, Mr. McBurney has become known not only among Covenanters but throughout the world for his exploits as a track-and-field competitor, having set state, national, and world records at an unusual stage in his life.

The famous runner has given us a breezy account of his life, full of information and insight in My First 100 Years! The quips are classic Waldo (if, as his former pastor, and just once his running partner, I can respectfully put it that way). Informed by a race-walking coach that he had a bad technique, he writes: “I was somewhat perturbed that I had been walking for 90 years and wasn’t doing it right” (p. 36); and later: “Gold medals are hard to win unless you outlive your competitors” (p. 38).

Chapters 10 through 12 are devoted to the serious subjects raised by the biblical truth that has molded and directed Elder McBurney throughout his life, including the comforting doctrine of the sovereignty of God, trusting God’s Word, and honoring others. There is even a brief testimony in favor of singing Psalms without musical accompaniment in worship (p. 67).

Several chapters then helpfully discuss the healthy lifestyle that Waldo and his wife, Vernice, have embraced, which seems to have contributed to their longevity. Photographs, sketches, and a list of his records makes this a book that many will want to have in their homes.