Small Talk

A group of local ladies (and one gentleman) who lunch did it up big last Tuesday at Anniston Country Club, with a noontime luncheon honoring a special 90th birthday guest — Anniston's Antoinette "Toni" Deyo Matthews.

Toni's children, William "Bill" Deyo, Jr., of Atlanta, and Ruth Anne Deyo Bell, of Cashiers, N.C., shared in the excitement as they caught up with the other guests, including Louise Bannister, Betty Cobb, Jessie White, Carla Harris, Edna Ward, and Toni's closest friends, Elise Sanguinetti and Helen Reynolds.

Colorful balloons and cut mixed flowers (including a stunning bouquet hand-delivered by Toni's son) added to the festive ambiance as guests enjoyed assorted lunchtime offerings from the club's menu, and then shared a sinfully delicious sour cream-coconut birthday cake made by Jessie White.

Toni (whose actual birthday is Sept. 3) was born in Barnesville, Ga., and moved to Anniston in 1945. She was married to the late Bill Deyo, and has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Toni — still radiant and lovely as ever — adores her weekly lunches at the Club (where she highly recommends the fried shrimp!) and other outings, and is a member of Grace Episcopal Church, Wednesday Study Club and the Garden Guild.