Ruth Ward played the pipe and electronic organ for 75 years at numerous church and professional venues. Music was her passion.

Ruthanna Ridenour wanted to get the word out that she was reaching a major milestone, turning 100-years-old, so she announced the news on Facebook and asked for 100 likes. Instead, she got 72,000 likes, 94,597 shares and a whopping 9.6, million people wishing her a happy birthday. She had greetings from around the world, including Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Switzerland, Puerto Rico and Palestine. When asked what her secret to longevity is, Mrs. Ridenour had this to say: “Just keep on breathing.”

Sally Bradley is a native of Kentucky and a graduate of Kentucky State University, a historically black teacher’s college founded in the late 1880s. She was married and had no children but acted as a mother figure to the five children of her sister who died young. She also took in a special needs child she reared as her own. Her hobbies included fishing, watching basketball, going to Pacer games, gardening and cooking.

Sarah Wilson was the first African American born in Rantoul, Illinois, formerly a military city where recruits nationwide were trained. Mrs. Wilson, now a widow, was married to Walker Wilson and has two daughters, Barbara Jones and Norma Harris, and four grandchildren, one of whom preceded her in death. Mrs. Wilson worked as a window dresser, nurse’s aide at a local hospital and security guard for Indianapolis Public School 17. Her hobbies included reading, dancing and cooking. Asked what contributes to Mrs. Wilson’s longevity, her daughter Barbara responded, “I think it’s because she lived a clean life with a strong family. We just believe and trust in God.”

Thelma Frame is an accomplished artist who leads creative activities for her fellow residents at Zionsville Meadows Assisted Living. Thelma grew up in northern Indiana on a farm. She studied education at Indiana University and spent much of her adulthood as a teacher. She developed a love for drawing and painting as a child and went on to win several awards at regional painting competitions well into her 90’s. She has several paintings exhibited at the Richmond Art Museum in Richmond, Indiana, where she once lived.

Her advice is to keep active and to never stop enjoying hobbies.

WISH-TV recently featured Patty Spitler’s heartwarming interview with Thelma on Great Day TV. Enjoy hearing her remarkable life story and how she is living life to the fullest at American Senior Communities: https://youtu.be/7hSjQTTKgzk

Thelma Spears, known by friends as Nanny, had very strong faith and taught Sunday school for years. She not only had great support from her family, but her dog, Fee Fee, was always by her side as well. She was not afraid to tell you how she did not like cats. Her secret to living a long life was to be strong and to do what you have to do in order to support your family.

Vera Meadows is a Chicago native who graduated in 1932 from Central Catholic High School. She married Bill Meadows and together they had three children and many grandchildren. She was a cafeteria aide for several years. Her hobbies include dancing, reading, going on walks and being with family and friends.

When asked what her advice is for living a long life, she said, “Dance your heart out.”

Virginia Hayworth formerly owned County Line Flower Shop in Farmersburg. She was a judge in numerous flower shows and a member of Sullivan County Garden Club. She also worked in the Curry Township Trustee Office and was a member of Westlawn Cemetery Board.

When asked her secret to longevity, she said; “I take every day as it comes… If it was a hard day, I took it, worked hard and made it easy.”