Fours years older than the city of Blythe, Lena Mae Fleming turned 104 on Dec. 9.
Born in 1912 in Texarkana, Arkansas, Fleming was later relocated to Oklahoma, as a baby and grew up with a host of siblings.
Completing school up until the 8th grade, Fleming began working early to help her mother and saving the money she earned, with hopes of one day leaving the Southwest
“The first job I ever had was working as a secretary at a funeral parlor in Guthrie, Oklahoma,” Fleming said.
Now residing at the Blythe Nursing Care Center, Fleming reflected back on her 104 years of life and some of the happy moments she’s encountered.
Just five days after her 20th birthday, Fleming’s best friend asked her if she wanted to go to California.
“I told her
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Greenfield, the former owner of the LA Times, by taking care of his sister, until the time of her death.
Paid $50 a week, Fleming was amazed at how much her earnings had increased and how life was beginning to make a turn for the better.
“Mr. Greenfield was a very nice man. I remember when he placed a bet on a horse and won $85,000. That was big money back then,” Fleming reflected. Residing in Bakersville for 33 years, Fleming later moved to Ripley and lived on her own, until her health began to waiver. Admitted to the nursing home on July 7, 2010, activity’s assistant Marcella Garnica said when Fleming was moved from the hospital to the care center, she would spend her time in the day room hemming dresses and making her own clothes. “She loves her red hat and red shoes,” Garnica said. “I’ve sewn dresses, suits, you name it,” Fleming said. “I was a seamstress, but all I do now is lie in this bed and eat everything people bring me.” Still able to feed herself, Fleming is an old woman who’s still in sound mind and loves treating her body to good food.
“She’s a very active old lady,” friend and weekly visitor Louise Bars