The Wallace House was filled to the brim on Saturday, July 11, in celebration of Cuba resident Jewell Cooley’s 100th birthday.

Cooley, whose 100th birthday officially came on July 1, celebrated her Centenarian birthday with friends, family members and multiple state representatives who came from near and far to share in the joyous occasion.

The party was thrown by Cooley’s children, Kathy, Barbara and Jim, who decorated the Wallace House with their mom’s favorite flowers and encouraged guests to take Polaroid pictures and leave messages for the birthday girl. A banner showing the news, popular names and other fun facts from 1926, the year Cooley was born, was displayed, showing how much has changed in the world in her lifetime.

Cooley was born Jewell Dean Elliott to Fred and Mary Nassel Road Elliott on July 1, 1926, in Howell County, as the fourth of eight children in a hardworking farming family. She married Delmar Eugene Cooley in 1943 in a celebration in Mountain View. Jewell Cooley is a proud Christian, dedicated mother, and a family-oriented homemaker who has eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She is self-sufficient enough to live alone today and says that she enjoys listening to gospel music and spending time with family.

Cooley was overwhelmed at the attendance for her birthday, and saw many relatives and friends that she hadn’t seen in many years.

“I’ve seen people I haven’t seen in years and it has made my day,” Cooley said. “I can’t say I recognize all of them but it’s great to catch up with so many people.”

One of those relatives she hadn’t seen in years was her great-nephew, Noah Elliott.

Elliott, a Saint Charles Native, is a Paralympic gold-medal winning snowboarder. He was in France a week before the party, training for his next competition, but made the journey back to the United States for the celebration. Elliott flew back to his home in Colorado Springs, Colo., before traveling to Missouri over the weekend. He celebrated his 29th birthday the day after Cooley’s party and said that he hadn’t seen his great-aunt and many other family members since he was a young kid, so it was important to him to make it to this celebration.

“This is absolutely incredible,” Elliott said. “You know, I’ve been waiting so long to be able to get together with everyone, and I knew the birthday celebration was coming up, so I had to make it happen.”

Elliott, who won a gold and silver medal in the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Italy, brought his medals to the party where he showed them to his great-aunt, who beamed with excitement. He said that he wanted to catch up with Cooley, and let her know everything that he’s been through since they last saw each other over 20 years ago.

Elliott wasn’t the only notable relative of Cooley’s in attendance. Missouri State Representative of the 153 District, Keith Elliott, is Cooley’s nephew, and read a letter to her during the celebration from President Donald Trump.

“Congratulations on this wonderful occasion. Your American story is a proud part of our nation’s history. We hope your heart is filled with joy knowing that you have experienced the many blessings of our great country. Your continued strength and spirit inspire us to live with love and faithful abundance. We are honored and grateful for your continued support. Happy birthday, and may God continue to bless you and your family as you enjoy this tremendous milestone. Sincerely, Donald Trump.”

Cooley also received letters from U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt and U.S. Congressmen Jason Smith and Bob Onder.

State Representative of the 120 District, John Hewkin, who represents Crawford and Dent Counties, was also in attendance and presented Cooley with a Proclamation from the state, which he read aloud.

“The members of the Missouri Senate believe it is altogether fitting and proper to pause from time to time to recognize outstanding Missouri citizens, especially those who are enjoying the blessing of long and prosperous life. Whereas the members now pause to recognize Jewel Cooley, an esteemed resident of Cuba, Missouri, who celebrated her 100th birthday during a special celebration with family and friends at the Wallace House on July 11, 2026.”

A photo montage of Cooley and her family and friends throughout the years was then shown, which drew widened smiles from the birthday girl. The presentation was then concluded with a slideshow of Cooley photo-shopped into significant moments in history, which drew raucous laughter and applause from the audience.