Residents of Old Wilmington founder celebrates historic birthday

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Dolly Humphrey Pearson, a founding member of the Residents of Old Wilmington, celebrated a birthday Sunday, but not just any birthday. This was her 100th birthday!

Her actual birth date is January 12, but friends, family and local officials threw her a big party Sunday afternoon. The festivities even featured personalized messages from Gov. Bev Perdue and President Barack Obama.

“I didn’t know that a little thing like me could bring so many people together,” Pearson said. “I can’t soak it in.”

Pearson also received a historical plaque from the Historic Wilmington Foundation. This is the first time a marker has ever been given to a person, because usually they are granted to structures that are more than 100 years old.