A lot has changed in the past 103 years. America has fought in many wars, the television was invented and motorized vehicles became commonplace in American households, but if you ask Oleane Mulkey, the greatest things to come out of the last century are modern appliances.
“I really enjoy my fridge and my washing machine and the air [conditioner],” she said. “We didn’t have those when I was growing up.”
She then added, “But, a lot of things stay the same.”
Mulkey was born on June 17, 1909, and grew up in Bryan County in Wade, Okla. She raised 12 children and her daughter, Pat Gayle, said Mulkey has 95 direct living descendants.
“She has 11 living children, 24 living grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 25 great-great-grandchildren,” said Gayle.
Gayle said her mother still cooks her own meals and does her own laundry.
“I think one secret is that she eats,” explained Gayle. “A lot of older people don’t eat, but she eats good meals. Also, there is always something going on in our family, but she says if it’s something she can’t fix, she doesn’t worry about it.”
Mulkey is still very independent and keeps in touch with a high school friend who is also 103-years-old. She is hearing impaired, but her telephone prints off conversations so she can talk to friends and loved ones and she wears an emergency response medical alert necklace, just in case.
Her daughter said she was very active in her church until two years ago, but now watches church services on television.
Mulkey divulged her secrets for a long, healthy life to younger generations. “Just live a good, clean life and look to your Lord every day. Be nice to everybody and stay away from drugs and tobacco; throw your cigarettes away.”
Oleane Mulkey will be celebrating her 103rd birthday with a family meal at noon and a public reception at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 16th at Roberta Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 252 North Roberta Rd., Roberta. She is looking forward to having her friends come by to help her celebrate.
When asked if she was excited about the upcoming party, Mulkey’s face lit up and she said enthusiastically, “Oh, sure!”
Her daughter smiled. “She loves parties.”
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