By: Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
A celebration took place in Durham as Ms. Catharine Ferrell marked her 112th birthday, making her one of the few super-centenarians in the world. The Durham County Sheriff’s Office organized a special event on Sunday to honor this extraordinary milestone at the historic J.A. Whitted School, now a Senior Living Housing Center.
Ms. Ferrell, the guest of honor, has an inspiring family history. Her grandmother emerged from slavery, and her mother, born in 1884, moved to Warsaw with her husband to acquire a small piece of land—an estate that Ms. Ferrell still holds today.
At the age of 100, Ferrell had her first air travel experience when she went to Israel, where she was baptized in the Jordan River and visited the iconic Mt. Sinai. Her faith, she claims, is the key to her remarkable longevity.
Ms. Ferrell has vivid memories of major political milestones, including the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 and Barack Obama in 2008. She has witnessed significant historical events throughout her lifetime, from the creation of the assembly line and the opening of the Panama Canal to the advent of long-distance telephone service. She has also seen over 100 countries gain independence, experienced the impacts of two worldwide influenza viruses, and witnessed the adoption of the national anthem and the creation of Social Security.
An active member of her community, Ms. Ferrell participates in organizations such as AARP, NAACP, the Durham Seniors Exercise Group, the Durham Seniors Traveling Group, and the Durham Women’s Missionary Department.
The celebration was a heartwarming gathering, with Ms. Ferrell’s extended family inviting the community to join in the festivities. As she celebrated this incredible milestone, the community rallied to honor her legacy and the wisdom she continues to share.