On Sept. 29, Rosa Nell Blanton, of Cumberland County, celebrated her 97th birthday. She has been a resident of Cumberland County for 97 years. Instead of having a birthday celebration, her children asked her family, church family, friends, and loved ones to celebrate by simply sending her a birthday card, with a goal for her to receive at least 97 cards. The outpouring of love was shown, and she received 150+ cards from across the country. She is a child of God and mother of nine: Rev. Lucille Maddox of Arverne, NY; Susie Sanderson of Richmond; Delisa Blanton of Southfield, MI; Angela McCorkle of Jamaica, NY; Admus Gary Blanton of Farmville; Alice Hamlet of Midlothian; Silas Blanton of Farmville; Gloria Vincent of Hurdle Mills, NC; and Curtis Blanton of Baltimore, MD. She has 17 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren. She thanks God, her family and friends for celebrating with her on her 97th birthday.