COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – A Columbus woman turns 100 this month and was celebrated Sunday by many friends and some family.
Dorothy Richardson believes that everyone is born with a beautiful body and mind. She says the best thing you can do to reach your age is to take care of both.
Richardson, known to many as Dot, turns 100 on August 23.
“I think this is one of the most wonderful things that has ever happened to me. It’s wonderful that the Lord has blessed me all these years,” Richardson said.
Richardson was surrounded by many painters like herself to celebrate her birthday at the Phenix City Art Center.
She has been an artist for at least 30 years and says she has completed hundreds of paintings.
Club president Billy Waters says Richardson is a great artist, a special woman and never misses a club meeting as long as the weather is nice.
“We display her art here and have sold several of her pieces and we want to sell more,” Waters said. “She is an inspiration to all of us because she is razor sharp.”
When asked what the hidden secret is to living to be a hundred years old, Richardson answers her friends:
“Put God first in your life and know that Jesus is our Savior… the secret of a good life, the peace that comes from it, which surpasses all understanding, and that is the only way we can attain it.”
Richardson’s grandson Shane McGuigan says you know within seconds that his grandmother is full of life.
“It’s inspiring to know that someone her age can get up, pack up all her things and go and do something like that. It’s exhausting, even for a healthy person. It takes away your excuses and you’re enthusiastic and you can be ambitious about whatever your dream is,” McGuigan said.
It is her faith that inspires McGuigan most, especially after the deaths of her daughter and son-in-law this year.
“She lives alone, she’s 100 years old and she still drives, but because of her strong faith, she’s able to get up every day and carry on with her normal life, knowing that my mom and dad are in heaven and believing that she can carry on with a smile on her face,” McGuigan said.
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