Submitted by
Pearl Vanderbilt
The Marlin
Democrat
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Story written by Denise Schoppe
Staff writer, The Marlin Democrat
Local Woman Passes Century Mark
In 1904, the World's Fair was held in St. Louis, Mo.,
as was the third Summer Olympics. The ice cream cone was invented, Times Square
was given its name and it was a leap year.
A hundred years later, the world's eyes are on Iraq,
and the 28th Summer Olympics will be held in Athens, Greece. Ground has been
broken on the Freedom Tower in New York City, and it is once again a leap year.
The years in between are the span of the life of one
Marlin resident.
On July 19, 2004, Ida Murphy Diles turned 100 years
old. Through those years there were many changes in the world, but for Diles,
life remained a simple one, full of hard work, family, and a lot of faith.
Her life started in Wheelock, Texas, a small town 15
miles northeast of Bryan. Born to Ida and Sidney Murphy, she lived there until
the age of 16. Her parents referred to her simply as "Daughter," and it became a
nickname that stuck.
At 16, her father brought her to Falls County, where
she then lived with her aunt, Mary Lockhart. She attended Zion Rock Hill
Summerville School under Professor Ed Pannell.
In 1924, at 20 years of age, she met and married Tally
Diles. They lived in the Fish Creek Community for many years, and the couple had
10 children.
Twelve years after getting married, in 1936, Diles
moved from Fish Creek to Bishop Lane in Highbank where she shared a duplex with
her sister-in-law, Beatrice Diles. There, they raised their children and farmed.
Most of her life was spent on farms in Highbank where
she performed manual tasks.
Diles was active at the Zion Rock Baptist Church, where
she became known as "Mother of the Church." She continued to faithfully walk to
church up to the age of 97.
Her family told the story of how the minister wanted
her to use a cane to help her walk. They describe her is a proud woman, and
while she did use the cane, upon arriving at church she threw the cane into the
weeds.
Her favorite song is "This Little Light of Mine" and
her faith carried her through the years. Even after having a stroke, Diles
continued to walk using a walker to get around. She believed in taking care of
herself for as long as she was able. However, a fall three years ago, resulting
in a fracture, forced her to move to Marlin where she now lives with her
daughter, Emma Butler.
Even at 100 years of age, Diles is alert and recognizes
family members and friends. When asked if she would like to go fishing, she
enthusiastically replies with a "Yes." She also has a special love for teacakes.
Out of her 10 children, four are now deceased. However,
she is still surrounded with a large family that boasts 44 grandchildren, 72
great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren.
Throughout her life she lived by one motto that she
passed along to the generations following her:
"Love and kindness will carry you a long way. Obey your
mother and father, that your days may be long."