Priscilia Nesbit, resident at Emanuel Medical Center Nursing Home, celebrates her 100th birthday today. Family and friends enjoyed a day of fun and laughter together on Saturday, February 8, at Emanuel Medical Center Nursing Home. Pris was surprised by family and friends who traveled from Cocoa Beach, FL, Kissimmee, FL, St. Cloud, FL, Holopaw, FL, Melbourne, FL, New Orleans, LA, Lacombe, LA, Metairie, LA, Millersville, MD, Baltimore, MD and Birmingham, AL, as well as family and friends from Swainsboro. A special guest was Gracie, Pris’ late son Matthew’s cat, all the way from New Orleans. “I felt like a part of my son was with me,” commented Pris. Mrs. Pris explained that the worst part of her life was losing her three boys, but they are always with her in her heart.
Born February 12, 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio, Pris has lived in several states since then to include Florida, New Orleans, Maryland and Swainsboro. At the age of 18, she met Clyde Stepp who she married in 1945. That same year, Pris gave birth to her first child, a son, John. One year later, she became a mother of two and had her second son, Steven. In 1954, Pris and Clyde decided to part ways and in 1956, she and her two young boys moved with her parents from her hometown of Cleveland, OH, to Cocoa Beach, FL where she fell in love with the water and salt air and the thrill of surfing. “I love the beach, and I love surfing. I used to surf all the time.” Pris said with a smile.
While in Cocoa Beach, she also met her second husband, Bob Nesbit, and the two were married in 1958. That same year, Pris became pregnant with her daughter, Roberta. After Roberta was born in 1959, Pris and Bob had two more boys, Roy in 1961 and Matthew in 1964. The Nesbit family lived in Cocoa Beach for 17 years until New Orleans, the artistic, southern city of soul and jazz, called out to them in 1973.
In 2005, Pris and her family experienced the disastrous effects of Hurricane Katrina, recalling the moment when she and Bob left their home, never to return. “Afterwards, we had nothing to come home to. Our house was destroyed and all our belongings, along with photographs, were gone. It was heartbreaking.” stated Pris. After Katrina, Pris moved into a FEMA trailer on her son’s property in Lacombe, LA, then relocated to Haines City, FL in 2008. After living in Haines City for approximately seven years, Pris moved to Millersville, MD in 2016 to live with her daughter Roberta. She remained in Maryland until June 2023, when she moved here to Swainsboro to be closer to her granddaughter, Lisha Lamb.
Over time, Pris’ children have given her a total of nine grandchildren, who then gave her a total of 16 great-grandchildren. Her great-grandchildren have given her a name that completely embodies the incredible woman she is. They’ve dubbed her “The Great-One”.
“The secret to life is to give it all to the Lord. Leave everything to him. I’ve let go of control and I trust God. God is Love.” commented Pris.
Her life and beauty in the nursing home is her birdfeeders outside her window; she sits for hours just watching them. What Pris misses the most is her good eyesight. She plays Bingo to help her eyes and loves the anticipation of the next number being called. Pris’ favorite thing to eat is stuffed peppers and cabbage. She said fresh vegetables out of the garden has kept her young and vibrant.
Pris loves Mardi Gras and looks forward to her King Cake every year. She is a huge New Orleans Saints Fan and an amazing artist.
One of Pris’ favorite quotes is by Eleanor Roosevelt, "Today is the oldest you've ever been, and the youngest you'll ever be again".
