Ella Guilot, now residing at Westminster Village in Spanish Fort, was born in Daphne in 1907, and will be celebrating her 105th birthday on July 25, 2012.
Mrs Guilot, a petite, elegant woman, has enjoyed bike riding, walking going to church functions and visiting with friends and family during the last nine years as a Westminster Village resident. She drove her car until she was 99.
As a young child, Ella Crane, along with her recently widowed mother and siblings, left their 200 acre farm in Daphne and traveled up the waterways to Stockton, to live near an older brother. As a teen, she worked at the Swift Company for 12 hours a day, tying sausages for fifteen cents an hour.
Miss Ella is blessed with a caring bevy of nephews and nieces who describe her as a woman of the earth. She always had a garden of flowers and vegetables and such a green thumb. She cooked the best seafood I’ve ever eaten and her jams and jellies are awesome, says her niece, Angela!!
Miss Ella graduated from high school in 1928 and attended Twentieth Century Business College in Mobile. In 1937, she married the love of her life, Joe Guilot, who was the Chief Engineer of a steam boat company. He traveled the world through his work and at times Ella would join him. They enjoyed 58 years together.
When describing Aunt Ella, her family agrees. “She has always been a caring, selfless, yet very strong woman who is loved and honored by all.” She cared for family members in her home including her sister Dona who had contracted Polio at a young age.
Nephew, Ray Crane relates, “Aunt Ella raised us when our mother had to be sent to live in a sanatorium for tuberculosis”. For over a year Aunt Ella and Uncle Joe took us in and raised us.” Most of Ella’s relatives fondly refer to her as their second mother. She has given tirelessly to the Eastern
Star and she taught Sunday School for 40 years at Presbyterian churches throughout the area. Mrs Guilot will tell you that she became a Presbyterian at 12 years of age.
Nephew Ray Crane summed it up best, by saying, “She is one of the most Godly women I know and always positive”. Growing up we always knew we could count on Aunt Ella.”
Family from five states planned to attend a Birthday Gala and celebrate with Mrs. Guilot at Westminster Village, on July 22nd. Happy Birthday Ella!!
