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It’s said that we live longer and longer every year, but it’s always a sight to see when an individual is able to make it to the 100-year mark.

That’s the case for Greenville Citizen, Fletcher Curry, who will be celebrating his 104th birthday this Friday, Dec. 4.

Curry, who has lived in Greenville for over 75 years, has been a leader and difference maker in the community.

He worked at The Greenville Advocate from the early 1950s to the late 70s as a custodian. The paper was owned by a man named Glenn Stanley during that time.

“The Stanley’s were always so nice to me,” Curry said. “They really welcomed me into the community.”

Curry also served as a deacon at St. Paul’s Baptist Church, before he retired from his last job at Holiday Inn.

However, Curry’s biggest soft spot was always for gardening. In fact, he planted the camellia plant and roses at Beeland Park back in the 1960s.

“He always had a love for Gardening,” said Curry’s Daughter, Mary Grimes. “I remember he would spend hours out in the yard planting all different kinds of beautiful flowers.”

Curry, who hasn’t seemed to lose a step throughout the years, was dressed extra nicely in his photos for the paper. This didn’t come as a surprise to his daughter, who said that he was always dressed in style.

“He loved wearing suits wherever he went. The one that he has on today is his absolute favorite. He’d probably wear it everywhere if he could,” Grimes said.

For a man that has lived through two World Wars, the Great Depression, Vietnam, the Cold War, and so many other moments in U.S. history – Curry was astonishingly active for 104 years old. Perhaps this was a testament to his resiliency.

“He’s been through a lot, but he’s still the happy, work-working person that we’ve know all of our lives,” Grimes said.

Indeed, Curry did give off the impression that he was, in fact, all dressed up and ready to go at 104 years old.