On Wednesday, Selma resident Ethel Bender celebrated her 101st year of living.

“I’m happy as a June bug in a Fig Tree,” Bender said at her birthday party at Warren Manor in Selma.

Bender was born on June 6, 1911 and she never thought she would live this long.

“I didn’t believe it but I made it. I could just jump up out of this thing and shout,” Bender said about jumping out of her wheelchair.

She said that she has no secret to long life but she gives her God all of the credit.

“God has been good to me. I was made in his image and he is the one who let me live this long,” Bender said.

She turned to another resident at Warren in the dining room and said, “I’ve just kept praying and I’m still praying. Ain’t that right?” to which her friend responded, “Amen sister, amen.”

In all of her 101 years she said she has seen a lot change.

“Well the world hasn’t changed but the people sure have,” Bender said.

In her younger days she enjoyed singing and cooking. She said when she was a chef she loved getting to wear her big tall and white chef’s hat.

Warren Manor celebrated her birthday Wednesday with flowers, cake and punch served in the dining room. The employees made her a large banner for her birthday as well. She said all she wanted at the age of 101 was a pretty new dress.

As Bender’s friends at Warren and employees all sang her Happy Birthday ending the song with of course, “…and many more.”