Ark Valley News - A rare accomplishment: Velva ‘100 years young’

Velva Smith welcomes Judy Decker for a visit at her home. Velva, who turned 100 on Aug. 22, says that taking life one day at a time has been the key to her longevity.

A rare accomplishment: Velva ‘100 years young’
By David Dinell
Last Updated: September 17, 2015

It was a much different world when Velva Smith was born on Aug. 22, 1915.

World War I was underway, Woodrow Wilson was president and airplanes were still a novelty. Now, 100 years later, with a world of computers, jets and cellular phones, Velva joins an elite group: centenarians.

So it was just natural that Aug. 22, 2015, was an occasion that went well marked, as family and friends congratulated Velva during an afternoon come-and-go reception at Valley Center's Lions Park Community Building.

One of Velva's granddaughter's, Tina Ricke, said her grandmother's 100th birthday is "quite an accomplishment."

"It's just amazing," Ricke said. "She's a beautiful lady inside and out and she has inspired all of us."

Despite her age, Velva's mind remains clear and she retains a positive attitude, Ricke added.

The party, of course, included a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" and a cake stating that Velva is "100 Years Young — AWESOME!!!

The 70 people at the event also signed a T-shirt for Velva and looked over a collection of family photos and mementoes.

Among Velva's many friends there were Judy and Jerry Decker, who deliver a weekly hot meal to her as part of the Meals on Wheels program.

"She's a neat little old lady who still has all her facilities," Judy said during a recent visit. "Velva's a sweetheart."

The Deckers have known Velva, who has lived in Park City since 1994, for the past 10 years.

"She was just a kid then at 90," Jerry joked. "I just love her — I don't know why because she's so ornery."

Indeed, Velva has a steady stream of one-liners going for her visitors, her still-sharp mind keeping them on their toes. Laughter is important to her, as is her spiritual life, and she makes a point to go to nearby Randall Road Baptist Church for weekly services.

Asked the proverbial question about how she managed to live so long, Velva's reply was simple: "Take it one step at a time. That's all you need." No need to unnecessarily rush about, she added.

And don't forget the ice cream, either. Those who think that to hit the century mark means laying off the sweet, cool stuff are sorely mistaken as ice cream is a favorite, along with milk shakes. One of Velva's daughters, Barbara Reeder, whom she lives with, picks up the treats frequently at a local drive-in.

"Give her a shake and she'll down that thing," Barbara said.

As far as medicine, Velva doesn't take anything extra, but does believe in flaxseed as something providing a health benefit.

Velva's birthday makes her one of the few people, not just in the United States, but in the world, who are 100 years or older. According to the last U.S. Census in 2010, there are slightly more than 53,000 centenarians in the United States, which has about 318 million people.

Worldwide, her achievement is even greater. While there is no precise count, United Nations officials estimated in 2012 that there are 316,600 people around the globe who are 100 or older. That's out of population of some 7.3 billion, putting Velva at the very pinnacle of age achievement.

Barbara makes sure that Velva is well-dressed and groomed daily. Velva's freshly painted bright red fingernails reflected that care.

"You look beautiful," Barbara remarked, viewing her mother on a recent morning.

Velva was a homemaker and spent much of her life in Lincolnville, in Marion County. There she raised five girls with her husband, Harold, who passed away in 1988. It was a good marriage of more than 50 years and Harold was a hard worker and provider. He also was a man of many talents, mostly with a knack of being able to fix anything mechanical.

"He was a multipurpose guy," Velva said. "Anytime something broke down they would call him and he would go."

Velva was known as an accomplished baker whose cinnamon rolls and breads were relished by the whole community.

"She would give them out to the neighbors and then ration them to us kids," Barbara laughed.

The couple also had one son, Harold Smith Jr., who died at 6 of polio. At 100, Velva also has outlived two of her five children. Donna Clark and Nancy Decker have passed away. Another daughter, Sharon Kuether of Augusta, is still living, along with Barbara and Kathy Johnson of Park City, who also helps care for her.

Although she's in good health, Barbara, now 66, said she doubts she will be able to emulate her mother.

"I think to myself, ‘I wouldn't live that long,'" Barbara said.

Velva has not been without health challenges of her own, including a broken wrist after stumbling off a curb. She has had a kidney infection, an ordeal that taxed her sense of humor, and a broken hip, a situation that can be fatal for the elderly.

She also had a cyst removed from her stomach and a double mastectomy.

However, she overcame it all, Barbara said.

"We've been through a lot," she said.

She's also a little hard of hearing, a normal condition for someone at the century mark.

While her mobility is limited, Velva still gets around, using a walker and a wheelchair as needed. She also strives to keep her strength by working with rubber exercise bands, but she can no longer play the accordion like she once did.

Living at home has a lot to do with Velva's long life, Barbara said.

"She wouldn't want to go to a nursing home," she said. "It's the environment you're in that makes you healthy."

Still healthy in body and mind, Velva prepares to say goodbye to Judy after a recent visit.

"You take care of yourself," Judy said to Velva as she headed out the door.

Without missing a beat, Velva shot back: "What else can I do?"