In all of her 77 years, Frances Buzzard had never had a birthday party or toys at Christmas.
The only gifts she had received in her childhood were fruits and nuts when her family could afford them.
So, Belle Elementary in West Virginia wanted to make sure that her 77th birthday was extra special.
The staff and students at Belle Elementary, where Buzzard works as a custodian, threw Buzzard a huge surprise party.
“We found out from the head cook who has spoken with Ms. Francis that she has never had a birthday party, so she turns 77 on January 30, and we thought we could not let this opportunity pass by,” Belle Elementary Principal Amanda Mays told Charleston Gazette-Mail.
More than 200 staff members and students quietly waited in the cafeteria to surprise Buzzard. Well, sort of.
There were a lot of shhh’s from teachers trying to quiet their pupils.
“Rendell and Ms. Frances, could you please report to the cafeteria?” the loudspeaker requested, according to the Charleston Gazette-Mail.
Buzzard walked to the cafeteria with her co-worker Rendell Heater.
She thought they were heading to the cafeteria to clean up a mess and was shocked when she threw back the cafeteria doors and about 200 people shouted, “Surprise!”
She was met with cheers and well wishes when she walked into the room.
The smile on her face when she walked into that room was as bright as a star.
Buzzard clapped her hands and was overwhelmed with joy as she was presented with a sash and tiara.
She was placed in a special chair in the middle of the room like a queen on her throne.
She also got presents: birthday cards from students drawn in crayon and a slideshow with her photo Photoshopped into famous moments in history that she lived through.
“Oh, it’s a great big party. I appreciate it. I’ve never had nobody do this for me,” a delighted Frances said in a video posted by the Charleston Gazette-Mail.
Buzzard had all kinds of special treats laid out for her to make up for all the birthdays she missed.
Buzzard wiped away tears while sitting on her “throne” and seeing the fanfare around her.
Buzzard said she may recall having one party thrown for her, but it was so cold and ice that no one showed up.
“Oh, this is a great day for me. I appreciate it,” she said.
The video of Buzzard’s birthday party ended up going viral and was viewed more than 291,300 times on YouTube.
“This is so very sweet. Made me cry tears of joy. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, MRS. FRANCES AND MANY MORE,” wrote one commenter.
“This is just the sweetest thing ever!” said another.
Check out Buzzard’s adorable birthday party in the video below!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
