Nationwide — Meet Flora Mae White, an African American woman from Georgia who just turned 108 years old. Flora, who has spent her entire life in the state, is now considered the oldest living woman in central Georgia.White was born in Eatonton, Georgia on December 12, 1915. She grew up in Eastman, Georgia where she was raised by her aunt and uncle.
In the early 1900s, her family defied norms by owning a plantation farm where they farmed cotton and vegetables, and bred cows — a rare feat for African Americans at that time.
Life took a turn when Flora, who was the eldest among 3 brothers and 2 sisters, had to leave school at the age of 12 to care for her siblings after her mother’s death. She worked at a canning factory to support the household.
“The lord blessed me with everything,” White told 13WMAZ. “I had good times, and my good times always outweighed my hard times.”
Now, at 108, Flora looks back on a life filled with love and family. Her recent birthday celebration brought joy as she gathered with loved ones over the weekend.
“It made me feel good,” White said, “I was glad to have family around, I just missed my brothers and sisters.”
Flora’s granddaughter, Cherri Lavender, describes her as the family matriarch who has overcome significant challenges.
“I’ve never known anyone her age 108 and I think that she has reached tremendous milestones,” Lavender said. “She has always been a giver, she’s always been the one that you go to and she was always the shortest one but the feistiest one.”
When asked about her secret to staying young, Flora simply advises, “Treat people right and you’ll live a long time. You have to give up your right to live and I cried many days. Sometimes I was wrong and sometimes I was right, but I’ve lived a good blessed life.”