In the charming town of Woodburn, Kentucky, Mabel Kirk, a robust woman with a big heart, marked her 101st birthday on July 9. This astounding milestone, she claims, is due to “clean living” and “helping others”.

Born and raised in Owensboro, Kirk fondly remembers her educational journey in a unique one-room schoolhouse. “One grade would go up to the teacher’s desk and have that class,” she reminisced, “Then another room would go so. We got all eight grades in every day.”

This lovely lady is not only known for her lengthy life but also for her invaluable contribution to the World War II effort. Having worked at General Electric, she played an integral part in assembling vacuum tubes used in radio transmitters. “A lot of things were rationed,” Kirk recalled, “I don’t think there was anything we really had to give up. We focused on doing our best for the war.”

In 1946, this strong, independent woman settled down with her husband, an auto mechanic, and they lived a contented life in Bowling Green. Together, they shared 71 years of wedded bliss. “He was the best”, asserted Kirk, adding that they were blessed with two children.

When asked about her secret behind her remarkable longevity, she gave a warm smile and offered a straightforward response: “Try to have a clean living and be friendly and help others”. These simple yet profound words from Kirk could be a life lesson for everyone.

Highlights:

• An exceptional Bowling Green woman, Mabel Kirk, celebrated a momentous 101 years of life on July 9.
• Born and bred in Owensboro, she shares delightful memories of receiving eight different grades each day in a unique one-room schoolhouse.
• With a patriotic fervor, she contributed to the World War II effort by working at General Electric, assembling vacuum tubes for radio transmitters.
• She shared 71 years of marital happiness with her husband, an auto mechanic, in Bowling Green.
• Attributing her exceptional longevity to ‘clean living’, Mabel advises everyone to be friendly, aid others, and maintain a wholesome lifestyle.