Alabama Store Throws 100th Birthday Party for Employee Romay Davis

Grocery store Winn Dixie in Alabama just threw a special birthday party to Mrs. Romay Davis for her 100th Birthday. Davis, who is a World War II veteran, works five days a week and says she has more things to do in her life.

Last Tuesday afternoon, Romay Davis celebrated a huge milestone in her life when she turned 100-year-old. And she celebrated in style and like a queen thanks to her co-workers at Montgomery’s Winn-Dixie store.

Romay arrived at her work-place—turned into her birthday hall for the day—aboard a Rolls Royce and wearing a special sash that read “100 & Fabulous.”

She was welcomed by the Park Crossing High School marching band, lots of confetti, and a cheering crowd that held signs wishing a happy birthday. They even created a unique hashtag for those who wanted to celebrate online.

A party fit for a hardworking queen

Once inside, Romay was led to sit on a special throne, where she was presented with a cake in the shape of her age and a small gallery with photos from each decade of her life and her most relevant accomplishments.

“I don't know what to say. Precious. Just precious," Davis told The Montgomery Advertiser. "What a beautiful day."

While manager Frankie Hodges added:

“Look at her. She’s a complete inspiration to us all. We get up and say, ‘Oh, my back hurts.’ But she gets up and does it every day.”

On top of the hugs, the lovely speeches in her honor, and a gift card for free groceries for one year, Davis also received the honor of having Mayor Todd Strange declare the date as “Romay Davis Day” in the city.

An exemplary employee

According to Hodges, Davis has been an employee at the store for almost 20 years. She makes sure the products on the shelves are fresh and takes the dated ones out.

She does her work so well and with so much joy that she often splits her time between different stores locations in Montgomery while working five days a week.

“They’re going to have to push me out,” Davis says when talking about her second retirement.

“It’s unreal. She’s doing more work than a 25-year-old,” store manager Bobby Godwin told the Advertiser. “She enjoys coming to work. If she’s going to be a few minutes late, she’s calling. I say, ‘Romay, just take your time.’”

Davis helps as much as her manager, and her body allowed her to. She admits that her health has been getting in the way of her work lately and gets mad when her body “won’t cooperate.”

Still, Davis says her mother taught her to don’t give up, and she says, “I’ve got stuff to do.”

A fulfilled long life

Mrs. Davis was born on October 29, 1919, in King George County, Virginia.

After high school, Davis joined the U.S Army and served in World War II. Later, she earned an education degree from NYU.

She worked for over 30 years as a fashion designer and model, and then retired in 1982 and moved to Montgomery with her husband, Jerry.

During her “retirement,” Davis stayed active painting, volunteering to many causes, and even getting a black belt in Taekwondo at 70.

After her husband passed away in 2001, Davis decided to return to the workforce and applied at the Winn-Dixie store No. 448 on Vaughn Road.

She’s been working since then and says, “They’re going to have to push me out,” when talking about her second retirement.

"Life is full," Davis said. "There's no reason to be any other way."