By Haley Mitchell Godwin

On Oct. 11, Daisy Lee Barnes Sankey marked a milestone birthday — 100 years young. Friends, family and admirers gathered on Oct. 12 at the Highland Home School Auditorium to celebrate this momentous occasion with Daisy, whose compassion and wisdom have made her a beloved figure in the community. 

The celebration, which started at 4 p.m., drew over 220 guests, filling the auditorium with love, laughter and admiration for Daisy’s incredible life.

“I appreciate everyone that came and I love every one of them very much,” Daisy said. “If my arms were long enough, I would reach around them and hug them all at the same time.”

Like most farm-family members of the day, Daisy grew up with many brothers and sisters. She had 14 siblings from her mother and eight from her stepmother. 

Her mother, Sallie Hooks Sankey (1886-1929), passed away just before Daisy’s fifth birthday. Daisy remembers her father, Willie Andrew Barnes (1886–1959), as a constant, loving presence in her life.

Although she said it was challenging to grow up without her biological mother, Daisy fondly recalls her stepmother as a cornerstone of her childhood.

“My mother died when I was a little child,” Daisy said. “I don’t even remember her, but I remember my father. He was good to me and he was always right there. “

Reflecting on her early years, Daisy recalled long days working in the fields and simpler pastimes with her cousins, including playing games like willie willie wee and kick the can.

“I didn’t like being the one who had to kick the can,” she said with a laugh. “It always felt too much like I was kicking a person.”

Daisy’s upbringing in rural Alabama, along with her strong family ties, instilled resilience and character. From an early age, she and her siblings walked nearly seven miles to work in the fields where crops like corn, beans and potatoes were being cultivated. 

Daisy began working around the age of six, pulling weeds from amongst the crops. She attended New Hope School through the sixth grade, the highest level offered, walking more than ten miles daily to and from school. Winters were especially challenging, with students warming their hands over a wood-burning heater set up by their teacher.

“Our teacher would put a pan of water on top of the wood-burning stove so we could thaw our hands when we got there. We all walked or, if we were lucky, could ride a mule or take a wagon.”

Growing up during an era when opportunities for African Americans were limited, Daisy said she cherished her education and was thrilled to see her daughters, Diana Sankey Motley and Daisy Sankey Henderson, pursue careers in teaching. Motley taught for many years at Fitzpatrick Elementary School in Montgomery, before retiring, and Henderson is still actively teaching at Luverne Elementary.

Her grandson, Charlie Sankey Jr., who serves as District 5 County Commissioner and chairman for the commissioners, expressed his pride and admiration for his grandmother, affectionately known as “Madea.”

“Living 100 years is certainly a milestone to be celebrated when any person is blessed to reach it,” Charlie said. “However, it is extra special to me when it is my grandmother! Madea, as we call her, has taught all of us to be stable, even when everything else around you is shaky. I can’t express my love and appreciation for her enough.”

Daisy’s long life has spanned remarkable eras of change, from her days working the fields to seeing her family members hold significant roles in their community. When asked if she had any advice for today’s generation, Daisy urged kindness and respect. 

“We must always remember to do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” she said.