By Kristen Higdon
L’Observateur

DESTREHAN — Virginia Harris of St. Rose celebrated a milestone many are not fortunate enough to reach — turning 107 years old.

Harris rang in the occasion Jan. 28 surrounded by family and friends at Ormond Nursing and Care Center in Destrehan.

Known for her strong faith, generosity and candor, Harris’ life has and continues to be built around her family. During the celebration family members reminisced about old times and expressed gratitude to Harris for all she has done for them through the years.

“I have always admired her openness to call things as she sees them, whether the person receiving them likes it or not,” Harris’ great nephew, the Rev. Arthur C. Blue said. “As her family, we always appreciate her input.”

Harris is in relatively good health for 107 years old. Her spirits are high, and she is able to recognize her close family and friends.

When Blue’s mother died, Harris was there for him and the rest of his family.

“It was as if she was standing there waiting to fulfill the role as mother through her encouragement and Godly wisdom,” Blue said.

Another great nephew of Harris’, the Rev. Gerald Vinnett, was also at the celebration. Vinnett presides over Fifth African Baptist Church in St. Rose, where the majority of the family attends services. It is there where Harris gained her strong-willed faith in God and in others.

Deloris Neal, Harris’ great niece who moved back to St. Rose from California in order to look after Harris and her husband, planned last week’s celebration for her aunt.

Shortly after Harris turned 100, she had a bad fall that left her in need of more care.

At this time, Neal was trying to juggle work and tending to her aunt.

Over the course of Neal’s life, Harris always made sure her great niece had everything she needed, including a down payment for a house when she moved back to St. Rose to help care for her and her husband.

After Mr. Harris died, Neal was Harris’ primary caregiver. She would tend to all of Harris’ needs, including the cooking and cleaning.

Neal sadly recalls the moment when Harris told her to put her in a nursing home.

“She looked at me and said, ‘Dede I know you have to go to work, so put me in a home,’” Neal said.

So the pair did what needed to be done.

Since then, Harris has been at Ormond Nursing and Care Center, where Neal and other relatives often visit.

Harris’ family said the staff at the nursing home has made Harris feel comfortable and she has been taken in as a part of the community there. Harris is loved by the staff and her peers at the nursing home, her family said, and is known for her beauty, especially her great skin.

Physical beauty, however, is just skimming the surface of what makes Harris so special. Her credible insight and outlook continue to make her life one to be admired.

“We all listen to her wisdom, because one who lives to be 107 years old has a lot of knowledge to share,” Neal said.

According to Neal, when people ask Harris about her skincare regime, she simply replies, “trust God and use Vaseline.”

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