Comment
Print
Sitting at the dining room table with her card playing teammates Friday morning at the Rutherford County Senior Center, all the attention was directed to Fern Mohr. She was honored with a 100th birthday party that included cards, cakes and plenty of well wishes and hugs. She turned 100 on Saturday, February 19.
Routinely Mrs. Mohr arrives early to the Senior Center on Callahan Koone Road in Spindale, driving herself in her Buick, walks in without assistance to join the foursome of card players -- Lavonda Hill, Judy Webb and Wayne Webb and herself. She enjoys the fellowship, the delicious lunch and the friendships she made over the years.
But Friday, February 18 was different from other Fridays as Mrs. Mohr was treated with royalty. She wore a pink banner across her chest proclaiming her 100th and a pink tiara on her head.
Balloons and 100th name cards were placed on tables and throughout the Center.
She received her own decorated take-home birthday cake and shared a large sheet cake with everyone at the Center.
Leon Godlock of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department arrived to lead all the seniors in "Happy Birthday" to honor Mrs. Mohr.
The Michigan born Mrs. Mohr came to Rutherford County in 1979 with husband David Mohr and they settled outside of Rutherfordton. Mr. Mohr passed away in 2005 only two years after their only son passed away following a battle with cancer. She has one granddaughter in Tennessee. The friends at the senior center are her family.
"We came here so we could have a garden," the perky Mrs. Mohr said of the couple's decision to move to North Carolina.
Of the 48 United States the Mohrs visited during their lifetime and then looking toward retirement, Rutherford County was their favorite place of all.
The State of Colorado holds a warm place in her heart, too. She and her husband Dave ran a Dude Ranch for a while there and she said Colorado is the most beautiful place she's seen.
They traveled to all states except Hawaii and Alaska and also toured Europe.
When the couple came to Rutherford County, she worked a while as a waitress at Shoney's in Forest City and she and her husband spent most of their spare time gardening, going to church at Green River Baptist and enjoying the simple life.
"Before he died he taught me to shoot pool" she said. It would come in handy on days the weather kept her inside.
A few years ago Mrs. Mohr represented Rutherford County at the North Carolina Senior Games in Raleigh, entering the pool competition. She doesn't enter the state games anymore, but she never forgot how to shoot pool.
Last month, with a spotless driving record, Mrs. Mohr had her driver's license renewed at the NC License Bureau and drives herself wherever she goes. She didn't have to take a driving test, only an eye test, she told friends
An outdoors woman, Mrs. Mohr said she loves sitting on her porch, feeding the birds and even attempting to scare bears away from the bird feeders.
Mrs. Mohr's favorite foods are apple pie and sausage and her favorite place to be in addition to the senior center is outdoors.
She credits healthy eating, socializing with friends and staying outdoors as a secret to her longevity. She has never had any serious illness.
She watches some television news on ABC. She didn't make any comments on world events.
"I don't know enough about what's going on."
When the senior center was shut down during the global pandemic, she was among those who drove through every day to receive her lunch.
She was an encourager to the staff, they said Friday.
Mrs. Mohr gets plenty of rest. She is up every day at 6:30 a.m. for a breakfast of cereal - Cinnamon Toast Crunch -- coffee or hot tea.
"And I love chocolate," she said. Her favorite candy is Hershey's kisses. Among her birthday surprises were small dainty bags with three Hersey's Kisses inside with her name on the bottom.
She also loves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and eggs.
Mrs. Mohr's main meal of the day is lunch at the center and her table-mates often send some of their lunch food home with her for dinner. They want to make sure she has enough for dinner and doesn't have to cook.
Wayne and Judy Webb often pick up a hearty cup of Wendy's chili and a Frosty for Mrs. Mohr, which she also enjoys.
Fern Mohn is almost always smiling and her countenance speaks of peace, joy and contentment.
At her birthday dinner Friday, folks came by her table wishing her well and presenting cards.
It was a good day for this 100 year old woman who finds joy in living a simple life -- outdoors, healthy food and friends.
It's been a good life.
When she leaves this world, her ashes will be scattered around the bottom of a large tree on a knoll overlooking her property -- where husband Dave's ashes were scattered -- outdoors, her favorite place.
