Alice Turner was born before television, penicillin, and bubble gum were invented.

The Bryan resident turned 100 a few weeks ago and Saturday the Brazos Valley African American Museum held a reception in her honor.

According to Turner, her long life is due to her healthy habits, and not to any vitamins. She doesn't take any prescription medicine.

Turner's life has not been an easy one. The youngest of 12 , she grew up on a ranch in Wixon Valley, and walked to school.

"Closest I've ever been to school was two miles, the rest of it was five miles," said Turner.

When her family moved to Childress, she stopped school after 7th grade; there was no teacher.

"Back then, you didn't go to a white school, no. All you did was pass by, but didn't go in," said Turner. As youngster, she wanted to go to high school and college.

"I had so many ideas of what I wanted to be," said Turner.

She became a restaurant and hotel cook, but made sure her four children and 105 grand, great grand, and great-great grand children all took their education seriously.

"The children need to go to school, get their learning, but most of all obey your parents," said Turner.

Advice from someone with a century's worth of wisdom.