Mordie Allen Roosevelt Spriggs Sr., founder of Mordie Spriggs Bus Co. and a farmer, died of cancer Tuesday at his home in Lothian. He was 100.
Mr. Spriggs, who was born to sharecropper parents on a farm in Calvert County, attended school until the fifth grade when he left to help support his family. In 1920, he settled on a farm in Jewell, Anne Arundel County.
In 1957, he moved to Lothian and two years later established Mordie Spriggs Bus Co. The company has transported several generations of Anne Arundel County students to school. Mr. Spriggs was still working in the business at his death.
His family said he didn't follow any particular regimen and attained centenarian status through a combination of family heritage and consistent hard work.
"It was part genes, part living on a farm and plenty of fresh, good air," said a daughter, Dolores Dixon of Randallstown. "He worked in his garden, and grew and ate his own vegetables. He also ate his own chickens, pork and beef, and lived a good, clean healthy life."
Mr. Spriggs was especially fond of his country hams, which he cured with a mixture of salt and sugar. After the ham had aged in his meat house, he boiled it, then baked it with a mixture of rum, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves, family members said.
Mr. Spriggs was driving his car and leading an active life as he turned 100. He had played baseball as a younger man and was an avid Orioles fan. He also liked hunting.
He was married to the former Rebecca Rice, who died many years ago.
He was a member of Union United Methodist Church, 274 W. Bay Front Road, Lothian, where services will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
Mr. Spriggs is survived by his wife of 50 years, the former Winifred Walters; three sons, Allen Spriggs of Jewell, Francis Spriggs of Mitchellville and George Spriggs Sr. of Lothian; two other daughters, Brenda Rice of Lothian and Evelyn Coleman of Baltimore; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren. Two sons, Mordie Allen Roosevelt Spriggs Jr. and Norris G. Spriggs, and a daughter, Doris I. Spriggs, died before he did.