National HealthCare of Rossville staff celebrates Lois Penley Long’s 104th birthday with three parties in her honor so that all her friends and family could attend at least one celebration. From left are Gemi Richardson, 80, Long, her mother; and NHC of Rossville Activities Director Kathy Cruz.Lois Penley Long remembers growing up on her family’s farm – 104 years ago and counting. She also remembers transitioning from a horse and buggy to the family’s first T-Model Ford.
The National HealthCare of Rossville resident turned 104 Jan. 11.
“I’m going toward 105,” she said.
Born to Larkin and Violet Penley, Long was one of seven children. She had three sisters and three brothers. Her sister Myrtice Fannin, 95, is still living and resides at NHC Rossville with her.
“We had a field when I was a teenager and we worked horses out in the field,” said Long. “We hoed cotton, chopped cotton and thinned corn. You name it, we grew it. We grew cotton, corn, potatoes and peanuts.”
It seems that shaped her eating habits: “I like to eat everything that don’t bite me first,” she said. “I had chicken and green beans today for lunch. I’m tired of green beans. I like black-eyed peas and any kind of beans.”
Her spunk is still evident in the rest of her daily routine as well.
“She comes to gospel singings at NHC Rossville,” said NHC Rossville Activities Director Kathy Cruz. “She likes to socialize.”
“I like music, socializing and the food at NHC,” said Long. “I used to square dance.”
One thing she’s never liked, however, is cards.
“I never could sit still long enough to play cards,” she said.
Gemi Richardson, her only daughter, said she and her mother are “Southern girls born and bred.”
Hard work seems to come with the territory. Long spent 33 years at Wal-Mart, splitting that time between the East Brainerd and Brainerd locations, before retiring.
“She is a hard worker and retired from Wal-Mart at age 97,” said Richardson, 80. “She drove the car back and forth to work and lifted 40 pounds while working there.”
Long only moved to NHC of Rossville in August 2015.
“It’s not the same way as it used to be here [in Northwest Georgia],” said Long. “Children obeyed their parents back then [when I was little]. If my dad said ‘No,’ he meant ‘No.'”