By RHONDA WESTFALL

Celebrating a 100th birthday is a not an everyday occurrence. That’s why Stella Myers needed two days last week to receive all the well wishes of family and friends.

Residents at Suntree Apartments, where the centenarian lives, got a jump start with a party Dec. 2, while many of Stella’s 11 children and assorted family members were on hand to help the Myers family matriarch celebrate on the official date, Dec. 5.

Relatives from Texas, California and Pennsylvania joined local family members at the birthday bash where Stella looked a whole lot younger than her 100 years in a lovely royal blue dress. The Clinton County native posed for numerous family pictures and in general enjoyed her special day.

"I’ll just keep on living," the former Stella Coe said when asked how she planned to spend the coming year, adding that she’d seen many, many changes in her lifetime.

"I remember when the first automobile drove by our house. That was quite an event. I used to drive a horse and buggy into town to get groceries for my mom and dad."

She and her husband, Ralph Myers, lived for most of their married life in St. Johns. He passed away in 1988. They raised 13 children, 11 of whom are still living. Stella said none of the children ever gave her any trouble, well, almost never.

"I did worry about Wendell sometimes when he rode that motorcycle of his," Stella said of her son, who is a former DeWitt city police chief and county commissioner.

Stella’s brood includes 19 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchilden, the most recent addition arriving Nov. 27.

She enjoys visiting with her friends at Suntree, and spends time "watching television, eating and sleeping."

"I sleep just like an old bear," Stella said with a laugh.

Maybe that’s the secret to a bountiful long life.