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PORT NECHES — Just shy of her 105^th birthday, Verba Lee Turner could attribute her long life to wholesome living.

Turner smiled as she eagerly explained, “We ate what we raised” while talking about her childhood on a farm in the Zerath Community just outside of Kirbyville. The 13^th of 14 children, Turner remembers her mother did the cooking on a wood burning stove.

The farm included corn and potatoes, beans and peas and fruit trees.

“We had a pear tree, a peach orchard, plum orchard,” Turner said when asked for more details by her daughter Ginger Cooper.

The family farm also grew peanuts and there were chickens, hogs, cows and water was obtained at the well.

The community came together for a number of events such as a hog killing where sausage was made, and there was also syrup making.

Turner will celebrate her 105^th birthday Sunday. She lived in her own home until about seven months ago when she was encouraged to move to have around the clock care. The family chose Advocates House in Port Neches, a customized senior care home with a small, family-like setting.

Although hard of hearing and with diminished sight Turner is able to briefly stand and walk with assistance.

From her pristine room at Advocates House Turner noted a painting near her bed done by niece featuring a field of bluebonnets.

Growing up in the rural community meant walking to school at least until high school. By then she rode a bus 7-miles to school.

Cooper said her mom did gardening growing up and later, as a wife and mother to three children, she enjoyed working in the flowerbed.

Another photo near her bed features Turner and husband Herbert at their 70^th wedding anniversary celebration surrounded by family.

Herbert Turner was in the U.S. Navy and served during World War II. They married while he was on leave. A career military man, the Turners lived on both the east coast and west coast before moving to the area. Herbert passed away in 2018.

Cooper said before her mom’s vision became dim she used to like to read, mostly some type of devotional book and look at photos.

The photos showed slices of life from Sunday School class parties, to birthdays, anniversaries and Christmases through the years.

The Turner children were brought up going to church and Verba Lee always worked in the nursery or children’s department as long as she was able.

“And she’ll tell you, because she didn’t want anybody else teaching her kids,” Cooper said.

The Turners had high morals. There was no alcohol, no tobacco and no cussing, Cooper said.

Whitney Harmon, manager at Advocates House, said Turner makes her day.

“She definitely makes your day,” Harmon said. “She makes your time worthwhile.”

Turner was asked about the secret to her longevity, she answered with ease, “I was raised on country sunshine.”