TEMPLE, Texas — A Temple woman is celebrating an incredible milestone this July, her 100th birthday.
T. Bertha King was born July 10, 1924, in Richards, Texas to Wallace and Rachel Crawford. A century later, having lived through the Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights Movement and much more, she is celebrating her birthday again in Temple.
King has called many places home, from Richards, Texas to Seattle, Washington, where she attended Moler Barber College and worked as a barber for 11 years, to Anchorage, Alaska, to back to Seattle to work for Boeing Air Craft. In 1962 however, King made her way to Temple, Texas.
"My sister lived in Temple, so I came to visit her and never did go back," King told 6 News.
King says she has always put God, her family and her church community at the top of her priorities.
King connected with Corinth Baptist Church after her move to Temple and served many different roles in the church over the years, including serving on Usher Board Number 2, singing in the Sanctuary Choir, Combined Choir and Mission Chorus, serving as Mission Chorus Treasurer and being a member of the Sick and Shut-in Committee and the Culinary department for 30 years.
While King has been an active member of the church, First Lady Gladys Barnes says their friendship grew immensely.
"It is very important to have a true friendship with character and integrity because you're going to need that," Barnes explained. "I lost my mother in 2001 and she lost her husband that same year too. That's when we became very close."
King married her husband John W. King in 1965.
According to her family, King is known for her warm smile, gentle temperament and effortlessness in conversation, maintaining a "kind, sweet and simple demeanor that earned the hearts, trust and confidence of those who she met."
King told 6 News she does struggle with arthritis and wouldn't wish the pains she endures on anyone. But it's the friendships and relationships she's made over the years that have kept her going.
"I used to be just spry and could get around and everything, but now I have a lot of complaints, but I have a lot of friends that see after me," said King. "They call me, come by and are just very nice. I met some very nice people in Temple."
King says she is excited to see what her future years have to offer, and has some advice for those would like to make it to 100 too.
"Just take care of yourself," King said. "Yes, take care of yourself and do what you're supposed to do."
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