A woman just turned 106 years old in Halifax County. As a tribute and celebration, the North Carolina House of Representatives gave her a certificate of special recognition. After all, reaching an age beyond 70 is an honor and a miracle.
Her name is Ruth Hilliard and she was born on June 5, 1913—the same year stainless steel was created, a perfect metaphor for her. Although Hilliard’s vision is not functional as it once was, she is able to witness the growth of her only son, three grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. According to her, the secret to living a long life is dedicating it in service to the Lord, by faith as strong and stainless as steel.
Hilliard has a passion for educating kids at school and church alike. To her, teaching is a noble craft and she advises the youth to treat education as a privilege and an opportunity. Time is never wasted with gained knowledge each day.
Today, Hilliard chants the scripture habitually although her sight hinders her from doing so. Her most cherished scripture is Psalms 91:15-16 which says:
“He will call on me, and I will answer him and show him my salvation; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life, I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
This portion of the Bible is particularly special to her and she believes that her 106 years of existence is a testimony of the given passage. God has been good to her and has made it apparent that man can mock mortality through the favors of the divine granted to the most faithful of hearts.