Brownsville woman turns 100
Esther Hadley, of Brownsville, recently celebrated her 100th birthday.
She was born Jan. 25, 1919, a daughter of Leonard and Rosa Lee Howard.
Her brother Billy was born two years later. More siblings followed: the Rev. Nathaniel Robert (Bobby) Walker and sisters Minnie Bert and Phyllis Stevenson.
Because of her small stature, Hadley was unable to start elementary school until she was 10 years old. In those days, there was no bus transportation and students had to walk to and from school in all kinds of weather. When she began school, her brother Billy often had to carry her on his shoulders, especially during snowy days.
By the time she was 17, Hadley had won several amateur singing contests. In 1936, she was awarded three prizes of $250 in the Wilkens鈥� Amateur Radio House in Pittsburgh. She also sang in churches and at social events.
Hadley joined the Roses Parisian Midget Follies by age 18 and moved to New York City where she began a musical and entertainment career. She performed in various cities throughout the United States, including New York City, Chicago and Detroit.
Hadley was involved in a train accident on Feb. 18, 1947 when the Red Arrow Express Passenger Train on the Pennsylvania Rail, on its way to New York from Detroit, left the tracks and traveled down a steep incline, injuring many of its occupants, including every member of the troupe. Hadley recovered but will not ride a train or plane because of the accident.
Hadley quit show business when she met and married Leonard (Nick) Hadley of Uniontown.
They spent most of their 52 years of marriage in Andover, New Jersey, where she was engaged in housekeeping and he worked as a welder.
They retired to Brownsville in 2001. Nick Hadley died in 2006.
Hadley is a member of Mount Lebanon Baptist Church where she continues to serve as a member of the Sunday school, usher board, missionary society and an honorary of the member of the Chrysanthemum Club.
She enjoys her family, friends, cooking, reading and watching television.