Woman Reveals Secret to Living Long as She Turns 110 and Receives Card From King Charles
One of the oldest women in Britain just celebrated her 110th birthday, leaving many curious as to what the secret behind her longevity is.
Merah Smith was born in 1912 in Jamaica. She lived through World War I and World War II.
The former nurse, known as Louise, has three children, Irene, 87, Tony, 76 and Icha, 64, six grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs Smith plans to live to at least 115.
She puts her long life down to her diet and her faith.
She took up kickboxing and dancing hobbies and only gave them up at age 103 when doctors encouraged her to because her knees started to cause her trouble seven years ago.
“No stress, but most of all reading the bible, praying and trusting in God.
“I was born in Kingston Jamaica and moved to the UK in 1963.
“I tell you what, I didn’t expect to live so long but anytime the Lord wants to take me, I trust him, he can take me.”
Her favourite decade was the 1930s when she met her husband James, who sadly passed away from stomach cancer in the 1950s.
Mrs Smith said: “One of my proudest moments was meeting and marrying my husband, but he died before me.”
At 103, she flew to Jamaica for a two-week holiday and later attended her granddaughter’s wedding in Cumbria.
Her son Tony Smith cares for her and always cooks her delicious fresh food. He said he knew she was going to live a long time as she used to exercise a lot.
He said: “She told me she’s aiming to live until 115, and look there’s nothing wrong with her.
“She eats good food and believes in her church, that’s what keeps her young.
‘She used to exercise a lot, going to the gym and kickboxing until only a few years ago when the doctors said she should stop.
“She’s a person that just keeps giving. I’m proud of her.”
Mrs Smith has received a card from the Queen every year since turning 100, but this year is the first year she has received one from the King.
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