MORGANTON - Ruby Clodfelter was all smiles earlier this week as friends and family gathered to help her celebrate her 105th birthday at Grace Ridge Retirement Community, where she lives.
"I never expected to live this long," said Clodfelter, who was born on July 26, 1905. "It feels great. You wouldn't believe the things that I have seen change. It's a whole different world."
Clodfelter, formerly of Winston-Salem, wore a handmade, aqua blue suit to her party. She made the suit herself for her 100th birthday, she said.
While hugging Clodfelter, her nephew Don McCall asked, "Did you buy that at Macy's or Bloomingdale's?"
She smiled back at him and said "Don't you remember it from five years ago?"
"She's going strong," McCall said. "She made curtains last weekend for the lady who does her housekeeping."
Born in McDowell County, Clodfelter received her teaching certificate, but after teaching one year decided to do something different.
"I went back to college and studied business, shorthand and typing," she said.
Clodfelter ended up working at Hanes in Winston-Salem, and retired from there after 33 years in the work force.
She lived in Winston-Salem with her husband from 1925 until his death in 1971. She never remarried or had children and is the last of seven children in her family. She has three nieces and three nephews.
Clodfelter said she moved to Morganton five different times.
"The sixth time I stayed and moved into Grace Ridge on Valentine's Day in 2001," she said.
Some residents describe Clodfelter as Grace Ridge's Beauty Queen.
Evelyn Beaver, director of resident services at Grace Ridge, said, "She's very active. An amazing little lady."
Clodfelter is a cancer survivor, and other than a couple of stents in 1998 and a broken hip four years ago, she's healthy.
She only quit driving recently, Beaver said.
"At 101 she went in to get her driver's license and didn't have any problems getting them," she said.
"My license doesn't expire until 2011," Clodfelter said.
These days she's leaving the driving to her favorite NASCAR driver, Tony Stewart. She might be his oldest fan. Stewart sent her a package of racing goodies when she broke her hip. She names off his wins proudly as if he's a favored grandchild. "He came in fifth (Sunday) at the Brickyard," she said.
Brenda Yost, administrator and executive director of Grace Ridge, asked Clodfelter her secret to long life.
"Junk food," was her answer.
Tracy Farnham is a reporter for the Morganton News Herald.
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