Elva Sanderson celebrated her 100th birthday on Tuesday with her friends at Southern Oaks in Demopolis. She was treated to a birthday cake, and her friends sang “Happy Birthday” to her.

She comes by her longevity through genetics. Her uncle lived to be 102, her aunt lived to be 103 and her mother lived just a few weeks shy of 105.

She had 10 brothers and sisters, with five of those still alive.

Sanderson has been a resident of Southern Oaks for two years. A native of Choctaw County, she was a first-grade teacher in a one-room schoolhouse at three different times. She then taught in Jefferson County in Tarrant City, staying in the profession for more than 30 years.

“She always taught first grade,” her daughter, Ann Counselman, said. “She loved first grade.”

Sanderson has two children: a son, Ross Martin of Evelyn, La., and Ann.