HANCEVILLE — Amid flashing cameras and applause from the packed dining hall of the Hanceville Nursing Home where she is a resident, Nettie Marie Edwards Elliott graciously received accolades and honors as she was inducted as a Daughter of the American Revolution last Monday.

The DAR, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and education for children.

DAR members volunteer more than 250,000 hours annually to veteran patients, award thousands of dollars in scholarships and financial aid each year to students, and support schools for underserved children with annual donations exceeding one million dollars.

As one of the most inclusive genealogical societies in the country, DAR boasts 170,000 members in 3,000 chapters across the United States and internationally. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership.

At the age of 107, Elliott is believed to be the oldest recipient of the honor in the history of the society.  

Her niece, Doris Edwards Bush, of Theodore, Ala., has traced Elliott’s lineage back to her great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, Joseph Wright, who was born in 1730, in Culpepper, Va. He died in Clark County, Ky., in 1804.

Her ancestors have fought in every major war since the formation of the United States.

The most recent of her relatives to serve in the military is her great-nephew, Cullman native John Chandler, who was present for her DAR induction ceremony. Chandler has just retired after serving with the military for 21 years. He did tours of duty in both Bosnia and Iraq.

The moving ceremony began with the pledge of allegiance to the flag, led by DAR Regent Mary E. Brockman of the Needham Bryan (Mobile) Chapter. Those assembled, with hands placed reverently over their hearts, recited the American’s Creed, whose poignant passages left a lump in the throats of most guests.

Those present recited the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America and ended with a rousing chorus of the Star-Spangled Banner, sung by all.

Elliott’s induction was conducted by Alabama Society of the DAR, First Vice Regent Constance Haynsworth Grund, who swore Elliott in with the oath of membership. Following the oath, Elliott was presented with a plaque, a pin, an American Flag and a DAR flag.

At each point in the oath, Elliott responded on cue with “I do” much to the delight of the speakers and guests. Totally deaf since the age of 19, Elliott was prompted by her daughter, Patsy Cruse, who held cue cards for her to read.

Several other dignitaries from individual chapters of the DAR throughout the state also came to pay their respects to Elliott on her celebratory occasion. Among them were the Dripping Springs Regent Rhonda Van Zandt of Cullman, and the Sunset Rock Regent Ann Peterson Green of Hoover, Alabama.  

Guests were served refreshments, including an assortment of patriotic cupcakes.

Elliott was happy to greet the guests and to see the many relatives who came to take part in honoring her as the much beloved lady of the hour.