107-Year-Old Woman Credits Long Life to Obedience to God
Adell Julie Thompson of Santee, South Carolina has had the unique opportunity to experience and live through many key moments in the history of the United States.
She just celebrated her 107th birthday on October 10th.
“I had no dream of being 107 years,” Thompson told WLXT. “But the Lord spared me, and I try to do the right thing. I guess so people don’t talk about you.”
Thompson has never moved away from the town of Santee. She lived out the amazing history of the town’s shift from using horses and mules as transportation to people driving cars.
She watched the rural, farm community blossom into a bustling city.
“Santee now is a city. I think it’s past a city, it’s so big,” Thompson said.
She attended school in Elloree and began working as a substitute teacher in the 1930’s as a young teen. She taught second grade.
She also picked cotton on various family farms with her four brothers, and she did some work as a housekeeper.
“I could pick 260 pound of cotton a day, yesssir. I’ll never do it no more. I sure would drag now if I had to do it,” said Thompson.
She waited a little while before marrying her late husband, Eddie Thompson, in 1940.
One might wonder if Thompson could write an engaging history book with all that she has experienced firsthand, including living in America under 18 presidencies, one of which was the first African-American president.
“I had no dream I would see that,” she said.
Thompson is the mother of three children, grandmother to six, and great-grandmother to 14.
When asked about the secret of her long life, she replied, “I do what the bible tell me.”
Interestingly, there have been studies done in connection to the lifespan of those who believe in God and and are a part of a religious community verses those who don’t.
One such study reported that not only do believers live nearly seven years longer than non-believers, but part of the reason for that is because prayer and gratitude help to reduce stress, according to Medical News Today.
Another study found that those who believe in God tend to heal faster from medical procedures and have a more positive mental outlook, according to PLOS One.
As for making it to 100 years of age and beyond, yet another study found that 98 percent of the people who make it to this age group are a part of a faith-based community, and live out what they believe, according to Life and Health Network.
