Thinking she was attending her grandson's college graduation party, Adeline Spencer was quite surprised on April 19 when she entered the United Methodist Church in Windham and found more than 250 people gathered there to honor her 100th birthday. Mrs. Spencer is Windham's oldest resident.

Her children, Louise (Dick) Sands of Windham and Bert (Mary Ann) Spencer of Humble, Texas, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren from Windham and Texas planned her party while she was residing in Florida for the winter.

Adeline Spencer was born April 17, 1908, in Cleveland. Her family moved to Ravenna when she was a girl, and she attended Ravenna Township School, graduating in 1926.

She married Bert Spencer on June 22, 1932, and was with him until his death in January 1968.

Besides being a homemaker, Mrs. Spencer worked for 16 years at Windham High School, where she was a baker and was famous for her midnight chocolate cake. In fact, she always loved to bake, and each year she used to bake up to 500 cookies between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Her grandchildren are Richard (Edita) Sands of Windham; David (Teresa) Sands of New York City; Robin (Dale) Green of Humble; Burt "Hap" Spencer of Humble; and the late William Spencer. Mrs. Spencer has six great-grandchildren.

She attends the United Methodist Church in Windham.

At her birthday party, Mrs. Spencer received 195 cards, and in lieu of gifts, well-wishers donated 50 bags and eight boxes of canned goods as well as more than $100 in cash for the Windham Food Cupboard.

Being a big fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers, her minister, the Rev. Ruth Roth, contacted the Cavs, who sent her a T-shirt, a Cavs blanket, a bobblehead doll, a No. 23 LeBron James jersey and a letter signed by James.

Mrs. Spencer expressed gratitude to everyone who attended her party and all those who gave donations to the food cupboard. She said she sends blessings to each and every one of them for the friendship and love that has been given to her over the years.