By: Shayla Terry

100 years on Earth is a life event many people don’t get to see, yet Annie Tisdale Harris will see that milestone on Feb. 5 in the same place she was born.

Harris, Julie (Doolie) and Sonny Tisdale’s eldest daughter, was born in Crenshaw County. She was educated at The New Hope Valley Baptist Church on Glenwood Ave.

In 1934, at 17 years old, she married Willie Harris, Sr. The couple had five children. She worked at Luverne High School in the Cafeteria for 30 years before retiring at age 64.

“After she retired, my granddad got sick,” said her granddaughter Pam Shanklin.

“She took care of my granddad and his brother until they were deceased. She really spent time taking care of people.”

Harris has no medical issues. She is still an active member of New Hope Valley Baptist Church, and enjoys vacationing. At 95 years old, she cruised to the Bahamas.

“I got off the boat, and saw the city,” Harris said.

“It was good.”

Every Fourth of July weekend for the past 40 years, Harris vacations with Margret Seagrest and her family to Destin.

“I like the beach,” she said.

“I went last year, and I hope I’ll be able to go this time too.”

An avid baker, and sweet tea maker, Harris has evolved with the times. She loves Walmart and Sam’s Club, and has found a new love in green tea.

“I gave her green tea,” her niece Elizabeth Tisdale said.

“She loves that green tea now. We get her a whole box full, and she makes it.”

Harris never learned how to drive, and due to this fact has always been very mobile.

“She still washes, cleans, irons and cooks,” her goddaughter Irene HIll said.

“It took me a while to really understand that she keeps going because of the fact that she keeps going.”

In honor of her 100th birthday, Harris will have a party on Feb. 4 at Gateway Park Lodge in Montgomery. Harris’s whole family is scheduled to attend to celebrate her life.

Harris has six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, with another one due in March.

“My grandmother has always put the life of others before her own comfort,” Shanklin said.

“She’s always doing for others. She always believed a good home cooked meal could heal any sickness, but I know it’s really my grandmother’s love.”