Give Her Flowers While She’s Here

Help 111-Year-Old Mother Lessie Benningfield Randle Complete Her Bucket-List Journey to Chicago

“I want to travel, not just look at four walls.”

— Mother Lessie Benningfield Randle, age 111

My name is LaDonna Penny, and I have the incredible privilege of being the granddaughter, Power of Attorney, and family representative of Mother Lessie Benningfield Randle, the 111-year-old last living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

At just 7 years old, my grandmother witnessed the destruction of Tulsa's historic Greenwood District during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

More than a century later, she is still here.

Still smiling.

Still inspiring.

Still sharing her story.

And, most importantly, still living.

She Told Me She Wants to LIVE

Recently, I took my grandmother to visit the Greenwood Rising museum in Tulsa. She enjoyed the experience, especially the barber shop exhibit.

Afterward, I told her about the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago and asked if she would like to see it.

She said yes.

Then she said something that touched my heart:

“I want to travel, not just look at four walls.”

At 111 years old, my grandmother still wants to see things. She still wants to experience life. And she still has places she would like to go.

So, I told her I would try to make it happen.

Seeing the Obama Presidential Center has now become part of her bucket list, and I am determined to do everything I can to help her experience it safely and comfortably.

❤️ Mother Randle Is Going to Chicago

Mother Randle is preparing for an October 2026 journey from Oklahoma to the Chicago area, where events honoring her extraordinary life and legacy are scheduled for October 9–11.

During the trip, we plan to take Mother Randle to experience the Obama Presidential Center, something she personally expressed a desire to see.

On Sunday, October 11, 2026, Mother Randle is also scheduled to receive the Mighty Men & Women of God Humanitarian Award in Cicero, Illinois.

This will be much more than another appearance for her.

This is something she wants to experience for herself.

Traveling at 111 Requires Special Care

Getting a 111-year-old woman safely from Oklahoma to Chicago isn't as simple as purchasing a ticket and packing a suitcase.

We plan to travel by luxury RV, allowing Mother Randle greater comfort, flexibility, privacy, and the ability to travel at a pace appropriate for her needs.

I will accompany her as her granddaughter, Power of Attorney, and family representative. A nurse and security personnel will also travel with us so that her care, comfort and safety remain our priority throughout the journey.

Although Mother Randle has been invited to participate in special activities honoring her life and legacy, we are raising funds for the significant transportation, caregiving, security, accessibility and travel expenses necessary to safely make this journey possible at 111 years old.

Our Goal: $10,000

Your contribution will help cover expenses associated with Mother Randle's journey, including:

Luxury RV rental and transportation

Fuel for the journey between Oklahoma and Illinois

Lodging

Meals and necessary travel expenses

Nursing and caregiver expenses

Security

Medical and travel accommodations

Wheelchair and accessibility needs

Other necessary expenses directly related to safely caring for Mother Randle during the journey

Our goal is to provide her with the support she needs while allowing her to enjoy the experience with dignity, comfort and care.

Give Her Flowers While She Is Here

We often wait until someone is gone to tell the world how extraordinary they were.

We buy the flowers.

We write the tributes.

We share their pictures.

We tell everyone how much they meant to us.

I don't want to wait.

My grandmother is 111 years old—and she is still here.

She survived one of the darkest chapters in American history as a little girl. She has carried those memories for more than a century and has shared her story so that future generations will know what happened in Greenwood.

She has spent years allowing the world to hear her story.

Now, I want the world to hear her wish.

“I want to travel, not just look at four walls.”

She wants to go.

She wants to see.

She wants to experience.

She wants to LIVE.

And as her granddaughter, I want to do everything within my power to make that possible.

Give her flowers while she is alive—not when she is gone.

If you are able, please consider contributing toward our $10,000 goal.

No contribution is too small. And if you're unable to donate, please share Mother Randle's story and this fundraiser with your family, friends, churches, organizations, businesses and community.

Every contribution and every share helps us get one step closer to putting my grandmother on that RV and taking her on a journey she asked to make.

Let's show Mother Randle that we don't have to wait until someone becomes a memory to celebrate their life.

Mother Randle, we see you.

We honor you.

We love you.

And while you're still here, we want you to LIVE.

With love and gratitude,

LaDonna Penny

Granddaughter, Power of Attorney & Family Representative

of Mother Lessie Benningfield Randle

Goal: $10,000

Chicago-area events: October 9–11, 2026