Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Covington County resident Eva Rae Norris celebrated her 103rd birthday during a gathering with family and friends at church on Sunday, Sept. 17.

A current resident of Florala, Norris has attended Enon Baptist Church her whole life and spent the day with approximately 100 guests in attendance.

“Reaching the age of 103 means that I have been able to see my fifth generation of children. I am grateful that my family has been raised to trust in the Lord,” Norris said.

She is one of 12 children with one sister still living. She married Obie Norris on March 13, 1937, at the age of 17. The couple was married for 51 years before his passing in August 1988.

“My secret to life is trust in the Lord, work hard, and mind your own business,” she added.

Norris was employed by the Florala Sewing Factory and has remained a widow since her husband’s passing and. She has six children, 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 42 great-great-grandchildren.

“She has been a beautiful example of a Godly woman for her family and friends for all these years. She loved to quilt and through the years, she has made all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and some great-great-grandchildren beautiful quilts. She has been a pillar of faith to her family,” Katie McLelland said.

— The Star-News would like to thank Norris’ great-granddaughter Katie McLelland for her assistance with this article.