Flora “Hansie” Sharpe Troha of Allenhurst is one super mom.
She is probably the oldest living mother in Liberty County having turned 105 on May 5.
A native of Toombs County, she married Frank Troha in 1920 and subsequently moved to Allenhurst.
The couple had 11 children — 10 boys and a girl. All of the children are living except two, Frank Jr. and Philip.
Troha’s husband died in 1978 at 91, Frank Jr., died in October 2003 followed by Philip in October 2005.
The Troha boys are dedicated to their country and were military men. All 10 of them served in the military. Four served in World War II, two in Korea and three served in Vietnam.
Troha has spent her life surrounded by her large brood of children.
“When we were growing up, meal times were truly great. They sometimes lasted for an hour. Daddy would tell us things that happened at work. We really had a good time growing up," said Joan Sandmaier. Joan is the only girl of 11 children.
Sandmaier said her mother is a very special person.
“I admire her strength, faith, stamina, and love. Family always came first,” Sandmaier said.
The Troha family is a close knit group and lives by the family motto: “We may not have it all, but together we have it all.”
Mrs. Troha never worked outside of her home. While she was in good health, she loved to crochet, read, cook and do cross word puzzles.
“Mom was a good cook. She loved to make chicken and dumpling, fried chicken, homemade biscuits and cornbread, and fruit cakes,” Joan said.
Flora Troha did not use a recipe.
“When my parents were first married, she would cook for about 20 men,” Joan said,
When Flora’s health began to fail, Joan and her husband Bill moved from Florida to live in the house with her. Mrs. Troha lived in her house from 1926 until 2007. In February, Mrs. Troha became a resident of the Coastal Manor Nursing Home in Ludowici.
“I hated to put her there, but they are taking good care of her. They staff is doing a wonderful job,” said Joan.
Last weekend, her children gathered for her birthday party. “My brother, Herman, missed the party, but he came on Sunday,” Joan said.
Flora’s 93-year-old sister, Gwendolyn (Cootsey) Ryals of Jacksonville also attended the birthday party.
When you are Mrs. Troha’s age, you are entitled to have as many birthday parties in one year as you want.
On May 4, she had a birthday party at Coastal Manor, and another one at her church, Allenhurst Presbyterian, on Saturday.
Mrs. Troha has been a member of the Allenhurst Presbyterian Church since moving to Liberty County.
“We were taught to care for one another. We are thankful for what we have. I see the love we have, and we enjoy getting together,” Joan said.
Every year, both sides of the family (the Sharpe and Troha) celebrate their family reunions during the Labor Day weekend.
It is a tradition that started in 1950, and family members gather from various states to participate and enjoy Flora Troha’s company.
Despite her advanced age, Mrs. Troha is still alert and talks.
“She remembers all of her children’s names,” Joan said.
She is probably the oldest living mother in Liberty County having turned 105 on May 5.
A native of Toombs County, she married Frank Troha in 1920 and subsequently moved to Allenhurst.
The couple had 11 children — 10 boys and a girl. All of the children are living except two, Frank Jr. and Philip.
Troha’s husband died in 1978 at 91, Frank Jr., died in October 2003 followed by Philip in October 2005.
The Troha boys are dedicated to their country and were military men. All 10 of them served in the military. Four served in World War II, two in Korea and three served in Vietnam.
Troha has spent her life surrounded by her large brood of children.
“When we were growing up, meal times were truly great. They sometimes lasted for an hour. Daddy would tell us things that happened at work. We really had a good time growing up," said Joan Sandmaier. Joan is the only girl of 11 children.
Sandmaier said her mother is a very special person.
“I admire her strength, faith, stamina, and love. Family always came first,” Sandmaier said.
The Troha family is a close knit group and lives by the family motto: “We may not have it all, but together we have it all.”
Mrs. Troha never worked outside of her home. While she was in good health, she loved to crochet, read, cook and do cross word puzzles.
“Mom was a good cook. She loved to make chicken and dumpling, fried chicken, homemade biscuits and cornbread, and fruit cakes,” Joan said.
Flora Troha did not use a recipe.
“When my parents were first married, she would cook for about 20 men,” Joan said,
When Flora’s health began to fail, Joan and her husband Bill moved from Florida to live in the house with her. Mrs. Troha lived in her house from 1926 until 2007. In February, Mrs. Troha became a resident of the Coastal Manor Nursing Home in Ludowici.
“I hated to put her there, but they are taking good care of her. They staff is doing a wonderful job,” said Joan.
Last weekend, her children gathered for her birthday party. “My brother, Herman, missed the party, but he came on Sunday,” Joan said.
Flora’s 93-year-old sister, Gwendolyn (Cootsey) Ryals of Jacksonville also attended the birthday party.
When you are Mrs. Troha’s age, you are entitled to have as many birthday parties in one year as you want.
On May 4, she had a birthday party at Coastal Manor, and another one at her church, Allenhurst Presbyterian, on Saturday.
Mrs. Troha has been a member of the Allenhurst Presbyterian Church since moving to Liberty County.
“We were taught to care for one another. We are thankful for what we have. I see the love we have, and we enjoy getting together,” Joan said.
Every year, both sides of the family (the Sharpe and Troha) celebrate their family reunions during the Labor Day weekend.
It is a tradition that started in 1950, and family members gather from various states to participate and enjoy Flora Troha’s company.
Despite her advanced age, Mrs. Troha is still alert and talks.
“She remembers all of her children’s names,” Joan said.