PROVO — Beatrice Payne, currently the oldest living Utahn, just turned 107 years old.
To celebrate her birthday, family and friends held a party Friday at the Courtyard at Jamestown assisted living center.
Those who know and love her shared their favorite memories of a woman whose impact has spanned generations.
Payne has one daughter, five grandchildren and more than a dozen great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren — many of whom attended the big party complete with music and, of course, cake.
Payne was born in 1909 in a two-room house in Byron, Wyoming, the third of seven children born to John Albert Robison Jr. and Rachel Permillia Lindsay Robison.
Payne’s sister, LaVon Montelius, described her as an “elegant, delightful person.”
“She’s a very strong person and always has been,” Montelius said. “She’s set goals all of her life and she worked for them.”
According to a biography on the Department of Aging and Adult Services website, Payne married Arden S. Payne in the Cardston, Alberta LDS Temple in 1933. They were married for 66 years before he died in 1999 at the age of 93.
She worked as a secretary for Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana, and later for the Social Security office. When her family moved to Idaho, she transferred to the Idaho Falls Social Security office, where she worked until retirement at the age of 62.
Granddaughter Sheryl Merkley marveled at her grandmother’s strength through the years.
“I would describe my grandmother as a hardworking, faithful woman who has seen many, many changes in our world through her 107 years,” she said.
“I remember when I was little and I used to have sleepovers with her in her big purple bed,” said great-granddaughter Shelby Sanders. “She’s so sweet and we love her. It’s really cool to know someone who is 107 years old.”
According to her biography, Payne's secret to longevity is eating healthy foods with very little meat. Her mother lived past 100 years old.
The best advice she has to share, she said, is to find purpose in each day and have a positive outlook on life.
Contributing: Viviane Vo-Duc
Email: spenrod@deseretnews.com