LUMBERTON — Annie Bell Ford-Sanders recently celebrated her 100th birthday.

Born on Feb. 15, 1919, in Parkton, Ford-Sanders was the second of 11 children born to Jim and Carrie Ford. She now lives at Lumberton Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Ford-Sanders has 12 children of her own, and adopted and raised two of her nieces after the death of a sister. She has 16 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.

Ford-Sanders remembers working in the fields in her younger days and taking care of her siblings. Growing up, she was not able to get much education and devoted her time to working in fields, picking cotton and performing other farm duties.

It was rough during those times, but with the help of the Lord they made it, she said.

Ford-Sanders has worked two jobs at a time over the years to make sure her children had food and what they needed to survive. She began working as a housekeeper for the Riddle and Green families in Fayetteville and worked at Fort Bragg as a cook. Later she worked at several cleaners in Fayetteville until her health begin failing, about 18 years ago.

She says that the reason she is still here is because of her faith in God. Her favorite songs are “Have faith in God” and “I’m Going to Stay Under the Blood.” She prides herself on going to town daily, even though she is wheelchair-bound, and does her own cooking.

Ford-Sanders’ prayer has always been “Lord, let me make a 100 because 99 and a half just won’t do.”

A celebration for Ford-Sanders’ birthday is scheduled for Feb. 26.

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Staff report