Twins Thelma Kathleen Douglas and Aleen Velma Garland recently celebrated their 80th birthday at the Oakville home of Rick and Kathy Liston.

Nearly 80 people, including four generations of relatives, gathered to celebrate the twins’ birthday on Sept. 24. Kathy Liston is Thelma’s oldest daughter.

Thelma and Aleen were the ninth and 10th children born to Lee and Ida Huffman of Whitewater.

”We didn’t do much funny stuff back then,” Kathleen said when asked to share a funny memory.

Aleen could remember one moment when they were 3 years old.

“We had one toothbrush and she wanted it. She kept coming at me and I kept backing away from her so she couldn’t get it. I fell off the porch and broke my arm,” Aleen recalled.

The pair remembered their father forbidding them to wed until they turned 18.

“She got married first,” Aleen said of Thelma.

The Huffman twins used to sing at public gatherings and churches around the Marble Hill area. They showed a photograph taken after they performed at a church in Cape Girardeau.

“Our oldest brother used to take us everywhere we sang,” Aleen said. “After I was married, my husband and I used to sing together.”

Music for the birthday celebration was provided by Rick and Kari Liston and anyone attending who felt they could add something to the harmony.