Three months after Lucille Robertson was born on April 12, 1914, baseball legend Babe Ruth made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox. That same year, Woodrow Wilson was president and World War I began.
“I didn’t think I’d ever live this long,” Robertson said at her 100th birthday celebration.
Born and raised in Marion County and Lawrence, Robertson is the daughter of Charles and Janet Hensley. Her father was a brick mason, building Inspector and had a 4-acre farm. Her mother was a homemaker.
Robertson said the world has changed drastically from her childhood. She remembers having oil lamps and used to heat bricks and wrap them in Army blankets and put them in bed to stay warm.
“We went from a horse and buggy to a Model T Ford,” she said. “Moving from an outside toilet to an inside bathroom (was also a major lifestyle change).”
Robertson, who has been a resident of Sanders Glen Assisted Living community since August 201, said she has no secrets to her health besides quitting smoking 68 years ago.
“I ate foods that don’t have all the preservatives in them and I try to be happy and tried to get around,” she said. “I love to dance too. If I didn’t have that walker I’d dance for you today.”
Robertson was a homemaker and worked at Fort Harrison during World War II in the PX and billings. She is an avid Pacers fan and still watches all the team’s games. Robertson also enjoys playing card games like Euchre and Skip Bo.
“She’s ruthless,” said Lori Nicholas, Robertson’s granddaughter. “When you play cards with her she’s a serious competitor. She doesn’t give anybody any slack.”
Later in her life, Robertson traveled with friends who were retired from Western Electric across the nation. At 80 years old she finally made the trip to Hawaii on a tour.
“I always wanted to go there and I loved it,” she said.
Robertson has two daughters, Roberta Elliott and Sharon Sportsman; son, Richard; five grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren.
“It’s unbelievable. What’s remarkable is she’s healthy mentally and physically,” Elliott said.
“She’s as sharp as you and I which is a lot to be thankful for. We are very blessed,” Sportsman said.
One of Sportsman’s favorite memories from childhood was traveling to horse shows in the family’s pickup truck with her parents. Elliott said she remembers her mother as always cooking.
“It was just hard work with all the freezing and canning,” she said. “At Christmas we would have a big open house and everybody would come.”
Robertson said her favorite foods to make are beef and noodles and fried chicken.
“I like good food,” she said.
