Florence Martin of Hampton said she is thankful for the life she’s lived and the people whom she has encountered over the last 104 years.

  “The Lord’s been good to me,” she said. “I don’t deserve it, but I am grateful.”

  Martin celebrated her 104th birthday Monday. Friends and loved ones gathered at her home to express their well-wishes and gifts throughout the day.

  Martin was born on July 8, 1915, and grew up on a farm. She said a family tragedy early in her life made times more difficult for her and her siblings.

  “My dad died when I was eight years old,” said Martin. “Would you believe, I went to plowing a mule in the spring to help on the farm. There were six of us children, and Mama was left with them. Dad died of a stroke.”

  Martin said life on the farm taught her a valuable lesson, which she has carried with her all her life.

  “Hard work don’t kill you, that’s for sure,” she said.

  Martin met and married her husband, Otis, in 1930. Although she said she was “just a kid” at the time, she is grateful for the life they had together.

  “I was just a kid,” she said. “We had a happy life. I won’t say that it was perfect. Some days, I’d want to kick him out the door.”

  Otis and Florence Martin were married 42 years, until his death in 1972. They raised three children: David, of Hampton; Betty, who lives at Laurel Park; and Peggy, who passed away in 2015.

  Martin previously worked at Southern States in Hampton, and also put her creative skills into action by sewing curtains for nearby Camp Fortson.

  Martin said she is fortunate to have maintained her good health for much of her life.

  “Back in the 1950s, I had an ulcer and had to go into the hospital for a transfusion,” she said. “I stayed overnight. I’ve been a lucky old woman.”

  These days, Martin takes blood pressure medicine and one vitamin pill every day. Still, she is quick to point out that she only started doing so a few years ago.

  “I’ve been blessed through all these years,” she said. “I’ve been pretty healthy, so far as I know.”

  Martin said she does her best to remain as active as possible. As she sat in the living room of her home, she acknowledged that she has a green thumb, and that when she’s not watching Atlanta Braves baseball, she enjoys working in her yard.

  “I try to get it done in the mornings before it gets so hot,” said Martin. “My son lives across the road from here, and he looks out to see if I’m out.”

  Martin said she never imagined she’d reach 104 years of age.

  “There’s not much fun about it,” she said with a laugh. “I’m blessed that I made it to 104, and can still be able to take care of myself. I still trim bushes. Somebody cuts the grass, of course.”

  Connie Dodgen of Hampton was among those who stopped by to wish Martin a happy birthday. Dodgen said Martin has had a significant impact on her life for decades.

  “To me, she’s like my mother,” said Dodgen. “My mama was great friends with her for a long time.”

  Martin added that she does her best to treat others well, and that she is thankful to be well loved by the people in her life.

  “I try to do unto others as I would have them do unto me,”  said Martin. “I’m always teasing somebody, but if I say something to hurt their feelings, I’ll gladly apologize – get down on my knees if I have to. I don’t want to lose a friend over being stupid.”