BOWLING GREEN, Va. — Mary L. Price celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends at a special gathering held at the Bowling Green Town Hall on Sunday.
The centenarian born on May 18, 1925, is the sole surviving child of the late Margie and Deacon Lewis Tillman Sr. of Caroline County.
"Mary was so small when she was born, you could hold her in the palm of your hand," one family member said.
She attended Caroline County Public Schools and later married the late Richard H. Price in 1950. Mrs. Price has eight children, 14 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 42 great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Price worked at the Expo Tobacco factory and the Verneer plant. After she retired, she became the "summer babysitter" for her grandkids, according to her family.
WATCH: How Secretariat changed the life of this Virginia woman
Sunday's celebration was particularly poignant as Price's twin sister passed away in February 2023.
Among the notable guests at the birthday celebration was Kate Tweedy, the daughter of Secretariat owner Penny Chenery.
The connection between Price's family and the legendary Triple Crown winner runs deep. According to her family, Price's youngest brother, Lewis Tillman, helped birth Secretariat, who went on to become one of the most celebrated racehorses in history.
Family members said Mrs. Price is a lifelong member of Second Mount Zion Baptist Church, sang in the Victoria Memorial Choir and even spent time working as a missionary.
Mrs. Price could often be found sitting at the head of her table, reading the Daily Bread and her Bible, her family said.
"Her love for Christ shone through in everything she did, guiding her actions and inspiring those around her to seek a deeper connection with her faith," they wrote.
Family members cited one of Mrs. Price's most memorable quotes as, 'I been there and one that and I'm not going back."
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