09/22/2026
Centenarians have witnessed the Great Depression, World War II, the rise of television and computers, medical breakthroughs, the civil rights movement, space exploration, and a remarkable transformation in how we live, communicate, and care for one another.
At Anderson County Hospital Residential Living Center, we are fortunate to have not one, but two centenarians: Leona (pictured left), who turned 100 last January, and Arlene (pictured right), who celebrated her 105th birthday in February.
“They say anything that’s 100 years old is an antique, so I guess we’re officially antiques,” Leona jokes.
Laughter is something Leona and Arlene share often. The pair became neighbors in 2024 when Leona moved into the open room next to Arlene. It didn’t take long to become close friends, and today, they enjoy meals together, share stories, and continue to brighten the lives of everyone around them.
Despite reaching a milestone few people achieve, Leona says turning 100 felt surprisingly ordinary.
“I didn’t feel any different the day I turned 100 than I did the day before,” she says. Leona credits an active lifestyle and strong faith for helping her reach the century mark. “Staying active is important if you want to live to be 100."
Neither expected to reach such a milestone.
“I sure didn’t plan on living to 105,” says Arlene. “I thought I might make it to 90. This is all God’s plan, so we just have to get with it!”
While both women acknowledge that age brings its share of limitations, they remain engaged, social, and grateful for each day.
As we celebrate National Centenarian's Day, we are honored to recognize Leona and Arlene for the wisdom, resilience, faith, and friendship they bring to our community every day. Their lives are a reminder that every year holds a story worth sharing and every day is a gift worth celebrating.
Read more in our latest Connections newsletter: https://heyor.ca/WMPYVw