October 7, 2019 (Mt. Airy, NC) ─ “Keep the Lord close” and “always start your day with a smile.” That’s Nolie Boyles’ advice on longevity. A resident of Twelve Oaks, a DePaul Senior Living Community in Mt. Airy, Nolie celebrated her 102^nd birthday with hurrah and fanfare!

Surrounded by friends and family, she was showered with confetti and streamers, and surprised with a large Happy Birthday sign created by SignGypsies of Dobson.

A native of Surry County, Nolie was born in Pilot Mountain on September 21, 1917, where she and her five brothers and two sisters learned the meaning of hard work being raised on a farm. After finishing high school, she married a tobacco farmer, Durward, and together they raised two sons and two daughters.

Activities Director Anna Burford said Nolie doesn’t let the fact that she’s in a wheelchair stop her from continuing to be a strong, independent woman.

“She’s still very active,” said Burford. “She doesn’t let that get in the way of her attending almost every activity.”

A resident at Twelve Oaks since 2015, she said “I call this home because I like it here and it’s my home away from home.”

For more information about Twelve Oaks, please contact Administrator Penny Haynes at (336) 786-1130, at phaynes@depaul.org or visit us on Facebook.