Waco woman celebrates 104 years of life

WACO, Texas ( FOX 44 ) – Born on July 20, 1920, Rosetta Stone turned 104 years old this year. Her family says her life is a testament to the power of resilience and the richness of a life well-lived.

Many say she’s born of a strong bloodline. Her father, Arthur James, died at age 91. Her mother, Myrtle Manning, died at age 104.

Raised by farmers, Rosetta is proud of where she comes from.

“We didn’t live in the city, so my father raised a big garden every year. He grew cotton and corn most of the time we lived on a white man’s place. My father raised so much food in the garden,” said Stone.

Rosetta remembers how life was growing up in segregated schools, and never riding a school bus until the eighth grade.

She began her journey to becoming a nurse at Paul Quinn College, where she embarked on her higher education. Despite the college not offering a nursing program at the time, Rosetta later pursued her passion for nursing elsewhere.

Her career took her on a train journey to the state of Washington, where she would begin her lifelong dedication to caring for others.

It was in Washington where she met her late husband Henry, a World War II veteran. Henry and Rosetta shared 50 years of marriage before his passing at the age of 88. Their union brought forth a family of eight children — six sons and two daughters.

Today, she is survived by three of her children, including one daughter and two sons, as well as a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even great-great-grandchildren.

Rosetta witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the triumphs of science and technology, and the struggles for civil rights and equality.

Her journey was marked by personal triumphs and challenges, from raising a family of eight during wartime to adapting to the rapid pace of change in the modern era.

Of her eight children, three remain alive today. She has watched her family grow to three generations of grandchildren in her lineage.

Rosetta says her faith is what kept her alive this long.

“I give God first place in everything I do. I put God in first place. I don’t care what the condition is, what the weather is, it could be freezing weather. I put Jesus first,” Rosetta says.

Just this year, she’s only missed three days of church. She explained that she loves her religion and shares it with her family.

It’s her perspective of life that has encouraged her children throughout their own lives.

“Very loving, a loving person. Everybody that know her or come in contact with her, not talking about just relatives, just adore her. So I learned her patience of kindness and overall, just a great person,” said Fred Maidon, her eldest living son.

With the world around her changing every day, Stone does her best to watch local and world news.

However, her son explains sometimes it can be difficult for her.

“Well, she don’t really understand it. All she’s familiar with [is] Biden. As far as a lot of other politicians, she might remember them years ago,” said Fred.

Rosetta says she feels blessed to be able to see another year of life and celebrate with her family.

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