Life

At 103, Ruth Mashburn counts on faith

Ruth Brown Mashburn celebrated her 103rd birthday with Lila Blakney (seated), Wally Shamburger, Virginia Brower, Brenda Hillyer, Mary Mashburn, Tara Munger and Joyce Johnson.

By Bill Moss, Published: July 24, 2012

Until two years ago, Ruth Brown Mashburn was still living on her own, spending time with friends, keeping up with the news.

"At age 100, she planned her own birthday party at First Baptist Church, and she didn't come here (to Sunnybrook assisted living center) until she was 100 and a half," said Tara Munger, a longtime neighbor at Dellwood Apartments. "She kept up with current events. We talked about current events. She had friends come in all day."
Born in 1909, Mrs. Mashburn turned 103 on Sunday. Activities director Cynthia Braden organized a birthday party Monday that included friends from her Hope Sunday school class, birthday cards, birthday cake and ice cream and a rendition of "Danny Boy," her favorite song.
Among the guests was Wally Shamburger, associate pastor for seniors and pastoral care at First Baptist. He had worked for a long time with David Mashburn Sr., who was education minister at the church. Mashburn died in the 1980s. The couple's son, David Mashburn Jr., was busy at his job at Sliding Rock in Pisgah National Forest and unable to make the party. His wife, Mary, read birthday cards to her mother-in-law.
"We used to go to her house when she lived in the apartment and do communion with her," Shamburger recalled.
Although Mrs. Mashburn does not communicate as well now, Braden said she recalled her talking about the secret of a long life.
"She said, to be faithful to God and always speak truthfully and just to love everybody," she said. "She said, some people are not in a very good way with the Lord but if you love on 'em they may come around."
Munger remembered Mrs. Mashburn's sunny outlook as a guiding force.
"She's been a real inspiration, real positive," she said.