Willie Bowden spent her entire life caring for her family. At 105 years of age, she now looks back knowing she did the best she could.

Born and raised in Livingston, Bowden was the youngest of six. She had one brother and four sisters. She never had any children of her own, but she proudly helped raise all her nieces and nephews.

Years ago, Bowden’s sister took her to visit New York, but it wasn’t for her. Instead, she spent her years quilting, sewing, fishing and cooking.

As a child, Bowden attended school. She said she preferred spelling over other subjects and noted that teachers were much stricter back then.

Though Bowden was never formally employed, she helped her mother cook and clean for the family, and also cared for children at a nursery.

Surprisingly, Bowden couldn’t think of any bad memories. “My lifetime was pretty good to me,” she said.