109 years of Thanksgiving
Porterville woman thankful for family’s love
Porterville family and friends say they are more than thankful for all the years they have been blessed by knowing their mother, grandmother, and friend — Mildred Layfield — Porterville’s, and possibly Tulare County’s, oldest living person.
Layfield, who is well on her way to being a supercentenarian, turned 109 on Wednesday, and celebrated her special day with family and close friends at Porterville Convalescent — the place she has called home since 1996.
Wearing a peach floral suit and pink hat, Layfield smiled, waved and nodded as friend after friend, and grandchild after grandchild greeted her.
“I’m so thankful to have my grandmother at 109 years old here with me,” said her granddaughter Sherry Wood. “She truly is my turbo energizer bunny. She’s my inspiration, my mentor. I love hearing all her stories.”
Known affectionately by many as “Grandma,” Layfield was born in 1908 — a time when the average life expectancy was listed as 47 years. Born before running water, television and the invention of penicillin, Layfield moved to California at age 13. And, after living on a farm, where she milked cows and canned fruit, the family moved to California Hot Springs where she helped run the bath house, said Layfield’s only child, Sharon Harrington of Porterville.
“She’s an amazing person, just last year, she was playing the white grand piano (at Porterville Convalescent.) She loves to sing and had a pretty voice,” Harrington said. “I was always trying to get her to come live with me but she wouldn’t have it. She always said she was put there because God told her she had to look out for those who couldn’t look out for themselves and those who could not take care of themselves. She had a purpose there.”
Approximately 40 people attended Wednesday’s celebration, but many more have been calling and writing the family.
“I’ve heard from so many people who she has touched,” Wood said. “At the home, she was always greeting everyone and making their visits easier.”
But even before she lived at Porterville Convalescent Home, Harrington said she has memories of her parents feeding people who had no food, taking in single mothers with children, and always helping someone in need.
Granddaughter Kris Lindley also shared fond memories of her grandmother.
“It’s a blessing to have her with us. She’s such an amazing woman — caring and loving,” Lindley said. “Grandma is so well loved, not just here with family but in the community. People on Facebook and instagram are always sharing her photos and following her life.”
Porterville City Council Member Cameron Hamilton, who has known her for seven years, was also in attendance Wednesday.
“I met her for the first time at her 102 birthday,” Hamilton said.
An amazing woman who loves people and parties, Hamilton said he still remembers seeing her arriving in a wheelchair, but being blown away when she stood and danced to Van Halen.
“She has impressed me ever since with her kind smile and enthusiasm for life as she made her environment better for all who came into contact with her,” Hamilton said. “Just the fact that her age never stopped her from dressing up each day, nor stopped her from greeting all who walked into that facility with a beautiful smile and a hello.”
One lesson learned, Hamilton said, is that despite circumstances or surroundings, people have control of how to meet each challenge and react to others.
It is the very reason she has lived as long as she has, Layfield said.
Blessed with great genes, her father lived to be 98. Her brother, Leo Pitts of Palos Verdes, who visited with her Tuesday, is 98 years old. Her sister, Maxine, is 103 years old. Two other siblings were also elderly when they passed away.
“The secret is always thinking of others before you think of yourself,” Layfield said. “That’s all there is to it. I never thought of myself. I was always helping others. I guess you could say I have a passion for life. I’ve had a blessed life.”