TRYON – A White Oak apartment resident in Tryon celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday, Jan. 20 surrounded by friends and family.

Betty Hendricks turned 100 with a party, including cake and hors d’oeuvres at the White Oak Apartment’s dining hall, with some travelling hours to celebrate with her.

No one would ever guess her age. Hendricks walked the room visiting with the many who attended. She takes no medicine and lives on her own.

Hendricks grew up in Michigan but moved to Asheville for her last year of high school. She graduated high school and spent her career at Venture Capital in Charlotte. She didn’t retire until she was in her 80s.

Many of the men she helped start businesses through Ventura sent her cards and flowers for her 100th milestone. Some still send her Christmas presents every year.

Hendricks spent her life married and has two sons, both of whom attended her celebration on Saturday. She has a big family on her late husband’s side, many of whom also attended.

Hendricks lived in Columbus prior to moving to White Oak a few years ago.

“This is a wonderful place,” Hendricks said of White Oak. “I love it.”

She frequently goes to the gym at White Oak to work out and says she has exercised her entire life and still likes to walk.

“I don’t have an ache or pain in my body at age 100,” Hendricks said.

She also is prescribed no medicine and said, “medicine will kill you.”

Her hobbies have always been centered around exercising and walking.

“It keeps you healthy,” Hendricks said.

Hendricks still has a family cottage on Lake Huron in Michigan and still visits there annually.

Hendricks also said she takes pride in being a Christian and attended First Alliance Church. She said she’s not able to attend anymore because she no longer drives but she still watches sermons on television on Sundays.

“It’s amazing what He can do, but people want to do it themselves,” she said.