Wagoner Woman Celebrates 102nd Birthday

Wednesday, January 5th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

When she was born, the horse and buggy was the main mode of transportation. People had to talk to each other in person, rather than over the phone. Wednesday was the 102nd birthday of Ada Mae Lawrence of Wagoner. She shared her secrets of a long life with the News on Six.

Lawrence has been a busy woman, and Wednesday was no exception. She's had a party to celebrate her 102 birthday. "These old hands has done a little bit of everything that you can think of, " she said. "I'm glad I'm as old as I am, and I'm glad that I'm in as good of health as I am."

She was born in Arkansas on January 5th, 1898. She was one of 9 children. Her family moved to McAlester, Indian Territory when she was two. "Momma and us little kids came on the train,â€ she recalled. â€œPapa and the rest of the older children rode in the wagon and brought our eating and cooking utensils.â€

To have seen the dawn of not one, but two centuries is rare for any one individual. When asked, "What is her secret for a long life?", She answered truthfully. "Hard work, I guess, that's all I can think of,â€ she confided. â€œI've worked hard all of my life." Her family says a diet of pizza, hot peppers and Coca-Cola has surely contributed to her life span, too. For her birthday, the local Coke distributor wheeled 365 bottles to her side. Lawrence drinks one a day and has for years. â€œI love Coca-Cola," she said smiling.

She revealed that her family has made a big fuss over her since she turned 100. â€œNobody believes this,â€ Lawrence said, â€œbecause when I was going to school, my mother was older than all of my friendsâ€™ parents. Now they're just about all gone and I still have my mother." Lawrenceâ€™s three children are still alive and have provided her with a large family, now totaling six generations.

She's seen the horse and buggy make way for men walking on the moon. When asked if people seek out her wisdom, she did not hesitate with her reply. "Not many,â€ she answered laughing. â€œI guess they think they know as much as I do!" But ask Lawrence what she is most proud of, and she will tell you that it is being a mother and having a wonderful marriage. For those who want her advice, this is what she had to offer. "I would ask men and women to be more loving and more caring for each other. Be neighborly and love your neighbor like yourself."