Mary Perdue Celebrates 103rd Birthday

Mrs. Mary Perdue celebrated her birthday on Feb. 21. Perdue, who turned 103 years young, is a resident at Thomaston Manor.

“Things have changed drastically.” Perdue said, reflecting on her life.

Born in 1920, Perdue looked back to her childhood, commenting, “I was fortunate to be born and reared in a Christian home. I had a simple, ordinary childhood.”

Perdue was an only child, a rarity in those days. However, Perdue grew up in what she described as a “safe, peaceful world.”

Mary married Ted Perdue, and together they raised two adopted children, Charlene and Sife.

Perdue worked as a teacher, and said, “I loved teaching school and working with other children.”

“Life was so different. [It was] uphill a long way for us, but we didn’t know we were poor.” Perdue laughed.

She did not have a specific answer for the key to living a long life when asked. Rather, she responded, “I tried to practice good health habits and live a Christian life. I guess I’ll stay as long as God feels He can use me.”

Ever humble, she commented, “I don’t know who is looking after us. I told [my granddaughter] no more parties, no more pizzas, no more paper, no more nothing.”