Lucille Howard, a soft-spoken woman with a passion for traveling, seemed to enjoy all the fuss being made over her birthday on Wednesday.

After all, it’s not everyday you turn 106-years-old.

Born in Wilcox County and married to a minister at the age of 16, Howard has lived in almost every portion of the state.

She has also witnessed the creation of the modern airplane and the first popluar automobile, Henry Ford’s Model T.

The Rev. W.W. Nixon, who calls himself Howard’s &uot;spiritual son,&uot; said the elderly woman is always looking for somewhere to go. &uot;It doesn’t matter what the weather is like, she loves going with me to different places,&uot; Nixon said. &uot;When she was 90 years old, she took a trip to Detroit by herself.&uot;

Since her husband did not drive, Howard said she was always chauffeuring him around from place to place.

&uot;He has been dead for over 35 years now,&uot; Howard said. &uot;We didn’t have children of our own, but we adopted eight children.&uot; It is this love for adventure, Howard reckons, that has kept her alive for so long.

Howard has been a resident of this facility, operated by the Methodist Home for the Aging, for nearly 10 years. &uot;She is such a precious lady,&uot; said Betty Dunkin, Epworth House director. &uot;Miss Howard does not miss church or Sunday school. Every time I see her, she is always on her way to somewhere.&uot;

Several local companies honored Howard by donating the food for her party.

Dunkin said Wal-Mart donated the cake, Winn-Dixie sent her roses, and Church’s offered free chicken for the celebration.