Meeting someone who has lived through the Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights movement and the Dixie Mill closure is a rare commodity in 2019, but LaGrange’s very own Nellie Stewart has seen it all over the past 100 years of her life.

On Thursday, Stewart celebrated her 100^thbirthday but even at her age Stewart is up and active in her daily life.

“Just yesterday, she was on the front porch watering all of our flowers,” Stewart’s youngest daughter Doretta McCain said. “She loves to color and is always active. She cannot sit still and has to be doing something whether it’s word searches or coloring.”

Stewart worked at the Dixie Mill for 28-years and has three children, Jimmy Stewart, Jean Patterson and McCain. But it wasn’t always hard work for Stewart. She said she liked to travel a lot, too.

“I loved the mountains, and we traveled a lot there,” Stewart said. “Tennessee, Florida, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and more. I have been to a lot of places. My son lived in Utah, and we went out there several times. We just kind of enjoyed our lives. My husband (S C Stewart) and I retired in 86. The birth of my children were the most exciting parts of my life.”

Stewart dedicates her strong health today and 100 years of life to staying close to God her whole life.

“Remember God always,” Stewart said. “That is one thing why I have been able to live so long. I have been a Christian my whole life and have lived as close to the Lord as I possibly could. Many people would say, ‘oh, you’re so lucky,’ but it is not luck. It is God’s blessing.”

Since moving to LaGrange in 1945 from Troy, Alabama, Stewart has had her three children, ten grandchildren and more great grandchildren than she can count.

“They all just keep growing, and I can’t keep up with them all,” Stewart said.

Stewart said her all-time favorite thing to do for special occasions has always been to go to Krystal’s.

“They all used to tease me about going there,” Stewart said. “Even on my anniversary, that is where I wanted to go. I love the hamburgers.”

When it comes to living as long as Stewart, she said to just follow the rules of the Lord.

“That is the best rules anybody could have for life,” Stewart said. “Doctors have given up on me twice in life. Once when I was giving birth to Jimmy and once when I had pneumonia. But it is because of the Lord that I am still here.”

Oakside Baptist Church will be hosting her birthday party this coming Saturday, June 1, at 3 p.m.