Georgia family celebrates patriarch’s 98th birthday via sweet video chat

POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. — A Georgia family was able to celebrate a very special birthday despite the quarantine thanks to the magic of technology.

Marisa Braxton said her father, Charles Manning, had been looking forward to his 98th birthday on April 11 for weeks. But they had to cancel his planned celebration because of coronavirus.

"I thought the quarantine might be over in time to celebrate, but no such luck," Braxton wrote on Facebook. "Fortunately, we were able to have a virtual birthday party and he was so pleased."

Braxton said 15 family members celebrated in person via video conferencing with Manning. They joined the call from all over the south, from Florida, Savannah, Macon, East Point and Dublin, where Manning is from.

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Manning presided over the gathering from the head of a table decorated with a birthday cake, candles and a computer.

"I can't tell you how proud I am to be 98," Manning said to his family. "If I don't make 100 I'll still go away happy... Thank all of y'all for assembling."

Dad was so excited, and he was really disappointed we couldn't get together," Braxton said. "But some things he can't control, so this was very special to him."

The family then joined together to sing happy birthday.

“God blessed me with the perfect dad, and today I am blessed to celebrate with him his 98th birthday,” Braxton wrote.

Braxton said Manning's fraternity brothers also honored him online on his birthday. Manning is the oldest member of Alpha Phi Alpha South and the Charter Jewel member of Pi Eta Lambda at the South Carolina State University.

Braxton shared the sweet story to WSB-TV’s InThis2Gether Facebook Group. You can join by clicking HERE.

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