WANDA SHEPARD

NEW MARTINSVILLE — Living life to the fullest is a piece of advice Wanda R. Shepard has not only lived by but completely redefined as she prepares to celebrate her 103rd birthday on Sunday.

Shepard was born in Limestone just outside of New Martinsville on July 2, 1920, shortly after her father raced a horse into town to retrieve their doctor. To this day she resides in New Martinsville and has even been referred to as “Miss New Martinsville.”

She says there is no secret to her longevity, but that every day she wakes up, she chooses to be thankful and optimistic.

“I think we make our own mindset, and I get up every morning and am thankful to the Lord for giving me another day and get up and get going,” she said. “I think we have to be positive or negative and I’ve always chosen to be very positive because I can see the good in everything rather than the bad.”

Shepard attended Magnolia High School and graduated in the Class of 1938, of which she is the last living member.

She worked in multiple different career fields upon her graduation including assisting a prosecuting attorney, working for PPG Industries, becoming a florist and bookkeeping for her husband who worked in construction.

Shepard spent many years traveling and has been all over the world. She has been to Australia three times, Europe four times, Japan, Singapore, the Holy Lands and Africa twice, which she said is her favorite place to visit.

Shepard has two daughters, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and said her favorite days are spent alongside them.

“We have had a lot of good times together, we’re a very, very close family and I’m very proud of my great-grandchildren and children and all of my family,” she said.

In addition to her family, Shepard said her faith is extremely important to her.

“I’ve always gone to church, and church has been a part of my very finest hours” she said. “If we put our trust in the Lord, we’ll be in better hands than anyplace else.”

She spends her time watching birds in her backyard and reading, and she even managed to read 100 books last year. She also enjoys hosting and often invites her friends over to play bridge.

Shepard says she has had the opportunity to make friends with many great people throughout her life.

“I have had so many good friends over the years, my old friends are gone, so I’ve accumulated a lot of young friends,” she said. “We have fun together, and they’re very supportive.”

“Friends are the most valuable things you can ever accumulate,” she continued.

When asked for advice about living a long life, Shepard remained gracious and said she has lived carefully, but has had fun along the way.

“I always say that the Lord has been so good to me,” she said. “I never dreamed I would live to be 103, but I’ve just always tried to live carefully and productively as much as I can.”