Moore BEN WHEELER — The year was 1911.

William Howard Taft was the 27th president of the United States. Irving Berlin’s Alexander’s Ragtime Band was the most popular song of the year, and the first edition of J.M. Barrie’s popular novel, “Peter Pan,” was published.

It was also the year lifetime Ben Wheeler resident Avanell Moore was born.

She will celebrate her 99th birthday on Saturday, from 1-3 p.m., at Moore’s Store, the restaurant and live-music venue that was once a general store run by four generations of her family in Ben Wheeler.

Moore said she is excited about turning 99 and is looking forward to the party.

Brooks Gremmels, the founder of Ben Wheeler Development Company and the co-founder of Ben Wheeler Arts & Historic District Foundation, felt it was important to acknowledge her big day.

He credits her for helping make the 2009 Ben Wheeler Birthday Bash’s One-Day Museum successful; because of the wealth of knowledge and historical memorabilia she shared — and has great respect for her family’s Moore’s Store legacy.

“Avanell’s birthday is a celebration not just of her 99 years of life, but it’s a celebration that reminds us of all of the people in this town’s history that have helped make it what it is today.”

The daughter of an insurance salesman, Moore has lived in different houses throughout the years in Ben Wheeler, but the town has been her home.

During a life filled with fond memories of the town, she said she never wanted to live anywhere else because “I’ve been satisfied. It’s been a friendly little town. I just love everybody and I hope everybody loves me.”

About Her Life

At 19, she married M.L. (Booster) Moore in 1930, son of John Jacob Moore.

Known as J.J. (Fat Daddy) Moore, her fatherin law opened his 6,500- square-foot mercantile store in 1933.

And until the store closed in 1992, Moore’s sold everything needed for day-today life in the country.

Shoes lined the north wall, along with a row of theater seats customers sat in to try on the merchandise. Horse collars hung on the back wall, along with BB guns, shotguns, 22s and ammunition.

Coal oil was pumped from a metal drum out back where a water well and trough supplied the teams of horses that some farmers continued to use right up to World War II.

Today, after much hard work and heartfelt conviction for the historical building, Moore’s Store has been brought back to life by Gremmels, having reopened the doors to Moore’s in September 2009.

With community support, Moore’s is again bringing Ben Wheeler residents together by providing an outlet for good food and fun.

Moore said she is also pleased with Gremmels’ efforts in restoring the building and giving it new life.

“I just love him,” she said.

So far in her 99 years of life, her fondest memories are of her marriage to “Booster,” a marriage that lasted until he died, and “having my (three) babies — those were the best times.”

As a grandmother of eight, she credits her family and in-home, visiting caretaker for tending to her everyday needs and providing her with love and support.

Love and support is also the factors Avanell credits when asked what she thinks is the secret to having a long and healthy life.

“It’s about helping one another and loving one another. That’s what’s important.”

For more about the birthday party, call 903.833.5100.