'I'm fine': Lula Mae Keaton is 105 and going strong in southeast Marion County

CANDLER — Lula Mae Keaton, hailed as a caring mother, charitable neighbor and tireless worker, celebrated her 105th birthday along with family and friends at a gathering here on June 25.

"I'm fine," said Keaton as she chatted with well-wishers.

Local guests were joined by guests from locations including Albany, Georgia and Tampa.

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Keaton said her faith is important to her and she feels God has blessed her with a long life.

Keaton smiled, fielded questions and spoke to guests throughout the celebration.

Guests included Keaton’s children Robert Taylor, Annie Harts, Diane Welcome and Judie Taylor. Keaton’s son Hardges Taylor Jr. died in 2018.

Lula Mae Keaton was born in 1917

Lula Mae Keaton was born June 15, 1917, near Monticello, Florida, and spent a number of years as a field worker, according to her son Robert Taylor, 76.

Keaton moved to Marion County in the late 1940s and then, after a brief return to the Monticello area, returned to Ocklawaha, where she worked for years in local orange groves.

Keaton and Diane Welcome currently live in Ocklawaha.

Keaton's husband, Hardges Taylor Sr., died in 2021.

Family members said Lula Mae Keaton has 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

"She's in good health," said Welcome.

The aging of America

According to "3 Ways that the U. S. population will change over the next decade," at PBS.org, U.S. Census demographers state the number of people aged 100 "grew from over 53,000 in 2010 to 90,000 in 2020."

By 2030, the number of 100-year-olds is expected to increase to "over 130,000."

Trasz Clayton, 35, one of Keaton's grandsons, called her "a blessing" who could outwork anyone and a person with "wisdom."

Aaron Keaton of Tampa, a nephew of Keaton's, attended the celebration and recalled Lula Mae Keaton as a hard worker.

Guests Roberta Welcome and Sandra Tribble helped serve ribs, baked chicken and more.

Roberta Welcome said Lula Mae Keaton is a “good cook” and "giving person," while Sandra Tribble described her as someone who "loves community.”

The 'hardest working woman in Ocklawaha'

Jon Howard, a great-nephew, came from Albany, Georgia to attend the celebration, while Cynthia Keeton, Juanita Keeton Cannon, Shirley Keeton Parker, Ollie Keeton Burgin and Betty Sue Coleman traveled from Tampa to wish Lula Mae Keaton a happy birthday.

Several guests described Lula Mae Keaton as “amazing.”

Robert Taylor Jr. said at the celebration that his grandmother ”gets around” and she “knows everybody."

Freddie Welcome said at the celebration Lula Mae Keaton is the “hardest working woman in Ocklawaha.”

Judie Taylor said her mother helped needy neighbors and called Lula Mae Keaton a "loving mother." Taylor said she is "so thankful to be her daughter.”

Annie Harts was accompanied by her daughter, Kayla Hart.

During the celebration, the group sang “Happy Birthday" to Lula Mae Keaton and she cut the first piece of birthday cake.

Valerie Wilson, Lula Mae Keaton's granddaughter, said at the celebration her grandmother raised children with manners and required them “to be mindful and respectful to others, especially adults” and say "yes, Sir and "yes, Ma'am.

“(Lula Mae Keaton) never held a “9 to 5” job but she was able to build a home from the ground up to raise her five children… My grandmother believes in having her own without depending on no one to do things for her,” Wilson wrote in a later text.

Wilson described Lula Mae Keaton as “independent.”

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Woman in Marion County, Florida, celebrates 105th birthday