Sikeston woman celebrates 100th birthday

Wilma Jeanette Coffee Morlan reads through the 100 birthday cards she received on her 100th birthday Friday, May 3, 2024, in Sikeston. Students from Scott City High School delivered the cards to Mrs. Morlan Friday morning. She also received cards from Rombauer General Baptist Children’s Church. (Gina Williams/Standard Democrat)

SIKESTON — Wilma Jeanette Coffee Morlan marked her 100th birthday Friday, May 3, 2024, with a celebration in Sikeston.

In honor of her 100th birthday, Sikeston Mayor Greg Turnbrow proclaimed Friday, May 3 as “Wilma Jeanette (Coffee) Morlan Day” in Sikeston.

In 1940, she married William Pershing Morlan. Mrs. Morlan has one child, Donald Wayne Morlan; one daughter-in-law Gertie Lou Johnson; two grandchildren, Bill Ed Morlan and Michael Wayne Morlan; and two great-grandchildren, Sydney and Will Morlan. She also has two brothers, Mac and Doyle; and three sisters, Louise, Mildred and Cladene.

Mrs. Morlan worked for 30 years at the Federal Land Bank before retiring. She also was active and attended the United Methodist Church. She has lived in Bellevue, Florida; St. Louis, Missouri; Caruthersville, Missouri; New Madrid, Missouri, and she currently resides in Sikeston.

Mrs. Morlan’s hobbies include playing card games with friends, and she enjoyed playing bridge the most. She has enjoyed visiting all 50 states.

There are many events and occurrences that span over her 100 years: World War II, prohibition, the Great Depression, Korean War, Vietnam War, first man on the moon, first Super Bowl and many more monumental events.