Susie Dotson, a vibrant African American woman from Columbus, Georgia, recently celebrated her 100th birthday, feeling as youthful as someone in their 40s or 50s.
“I don’t have no pains. I just feel wonderful. I feel that God has blessed me with many, many blessings,” Dotson told WDBJ7.
Born on July 4, 1924, in Cusseta, Georgia, Dotson moved to Columbus in 1975. She is the last surviving sibling among her 20 brothers and sisters.
Reflecting on her longevity, Dotson said:
“I wondered a lot of times, ‘Why me? Why me?’ I guess it might have come from being good to everybody and being kind and sweet.”
Family and friends recently gathered at the Heritage Hall room at the National Infantry Museum to celebrate Dotson’s milestone and express their appreciation.
Her grandson, Charles Thornton, whom she raised since he was three months old, helped organize the event.
“She’s very colorful, very funny. You know, she has no filter saying what she wants to say but she has a great heart. She’ll give you the shirt off her back. She’s been a great mom to me, and she actually made me who I am today,” Thornton said.
Despite losing her eyesight recently, Dotson continues to radiate positivity and humor. At her party, she hugged and talked to many with a big smile on her face.
“I love people, and I love to be around them. I love to laugh with them. I can’t see nobody, but you can say things to make me feel good or make me tickled, make me laugh. I laugh a lot,” she said.
Dotson believes love and connection are key to a long life.
“I think we all should get together and love each other. I think we should not hate each other. I think we should just go on and smile and keep in touch with each other,” she added.
