Posted on 01/17/2026 9:32:29 AM PST by simpson96
When we were kids, birthdays always felt like a big deal. We thought about it for months, right? There would be a special meal, a delicious cake, and maybe even a party with a few friends and balloons. Of course, we also had that very special birthday wish, and when our loved ones made that come true, we felt like the most special person on earth. As the years go by and life changes, birthdays become less about material things and more about gratitude for living another year. Then it seems that if we live for a very long time, people want to celebrate our milestones again. Gertrude Williams knows all about that. At 111 years old, she had one wish, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office helped make it come true.
Gertrude Wanted to Meet Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd Grady Judd, the no-nonsense Polk County Sheriff in Florida, has a bit of a celebrity status. Fans who love him really love him. He’s not afraid to call criminals out on their bad deeds and does his very best to keep the community safe. Grady also has a tremendous sense of humor and love, which Gertrude adores. This year, she got to meet her man in uniform just in time to turn 111.
“When you turn 111, birthday wishes matter. Gertrude Williams asked to meet the Sheriff and today, that wish came true,” the Polk County Sheriff’s Office shared. “Happy Birthday!! #PCSO #PolkSheriff #GradyJudd Thank you @conciergehomecare.”
Followers loved seeing Grady and Gertrude together.
(Excerpt) Read more at inspiremore.com ...
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Wow 111, almost as old as Madonna.
I remember reading something about a former slave who lived in that part of Florida who lived well into the 20th century. Wonder if she was related? Daughter perhaps?
Born two years after my mother.
She has witnessed amazing things in those 111 years1
My paternal grandmother was born in 1872. I was only 4 years old when she passed in 1956. My family came to Massachusetts in 1632. I’d like to smack these idiots that say that we don’t have the right to be here. F em.
Very cool.
“Wow 111, almost as old as Madonna.”
Better looking, too!
Happy Birthday Gertrude Williams! Congratulations on reaching your eleventy-first birthday!
Happy Birthday Mrs Williams. What a blessing 111🎂 and what a nice surprise to have your wish come true. The world needs more men like Grady Judd.
God bless all.
I wish I could remember her name, but I think she was in the Ken Burns documentary “The Civil War.”
Ya, but she’s not even close to catching Cher. ;>))
Sigh. What a cruel thing to say. This woman doesn’t look nearly as rode hard and put away wet as Madonna does.
LOL!
“What a blessing 111”
Eleventy one as the Hobbits say. May she beat Bilbo.
What a feel-good story! I’d love to meet Sheriff Judd too.
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