Preparing for the festivities

Esthetician Patty Pruitt applies eye liner to Margaret Needham Thursday afternoon. Needham was the winner of Mercy's Spirit of Women honor Thursday night for the 80-89 years of age group. -- Rayma Silvers/Tribune Photo

By Rayma Silvers

The Fort Scott Tribune

Early this summer, through its Spirit of Women initiative, Mercy Health Center sought nominations for women in the region who demonstrate an inner spirit that makes her an example of "Ageless Beauty" inside and out.

After receiving 31 nominations, one woman was chosen from each decade of life with the exception of the 90-plus category. In that category, there was a tie, making the number of winners total nine.

These nine ladies were treated to makeovers at the Courtland Hotel and Aveda Day Spa on Thursday in preparation for a special Beauty, Balance and Breath event at the Liberty Theatre Thursday night. Each winner was escorted to the event in a limousine.

During her makeover Thursday, Lorna Carlton reminisced about similar times she had when her daughter was still alive.

"This is an experience for me," she said. "I haven't had this for a long time. My daughter used to own a beauty shop, and when I would go to visit her she would do this for me."

Carlton said she had a good feeling about the make-over and the event.

"I feel positive about it. I never once dreamed this would happen to me," Carlton said.

When Margaret Needham, 89, received word that she had been chosen as an Ageless Beauty Winner, she was very surprised.

"I was speechless for a minute," she said. "Carla (Bryant Farmer) called and explained it. I thought, 'Well, how exciting. That's quite an honor.' I really appreciate it."

Adding that sometimes people do not realize how other people perceive them until they are told.

"It's funny, but we never know what we're like until somebody tells us," Needham said.

Frances Merrell, 96, was a little timid about receiving her makeover. Explaining that she had not worn make-up for many years. However, it did not take Merrell long to seemingly settle in and relax.

When asked what was going through her mind when she found out that she was an Ageless Beauty winner, Merrell said, "I thought, 'This is crazy.' That's exactly what I thought -- plum crazy-- somebody 96 years old being beautiful."

Merrell said the honor means more to her today at 96 then it would have meant had she been in her 20s.

"I can't help but laugh every time I think of it," she said.