Like most every other 108-year-old woman, Mary Collins Jones spends most of her days with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, as well as watching television with her daughter, Mary.

Born and raised in Oak City in the northern part of Martin County, Jones has lived a vibrant life in her 108 years and worked many jobs as well. But none of it, she said, could not have been done without her family.

Jones was raised in a large family with nine brother and sisters. She is the only one of that group still alive. She said things have changed a lot over the past 108 years č everything from insulation to not having to use an outhouse anymore.

“When I was growing up, we didn’t have beds to sleep in,” she said. “We slept on the floor. All of us did. And when it came to work, I worked. I’ve plowed and done everything, really. I worked in cotton, picked cotton, snapped peas and everything. I had to work hard. And it has done me good.”

Jones, who turns 109 on June 2, said she attributes her longevity to not only hard work, but also having a great family while growing up. She’s been her family’s matriarch for several decades.

“The Lord has been good to me,” she said. “And I’m very thankful for that. I have grandkids and great-great grandkids. There are more than I can count.”

Her granddaughter, Patricia Cobb, said one of the good things about her grandmother is that at her age she doesn’t take any medicine.

“It’s great because she can eat and drink most of whatever she wants,” Patricia said. “She’s in great shape for her age.”

Another of Jones’ granddaughters, Dorothy Cobb, who lives in Atlanta, said she is blessed to have her grandmother after all these years.

“My mother, (Jones’ daughter, Mary,) is 76, and I think it’s amazing we are blessed to have both of them still in our lives,” Dorothy Cobb said.

“And I thank the Lord for everything that’s in my life,” Jones said. “I have so much to be thankful for.”

Surrounded by her family and friends, Jones said she would like to meet more good people.

“I have my family around me every day and they’re great and I love them,” she said. “But it never hurts to meet more good people in this world.”

Jones said her relationship with God has kept her young all these years č that and hard work.

“Hard work has never been a bad thing,” she said. “It’s what’s kept me going all these years.”

Jones’ grandson, Braddy Cobb, said he is impressed with how well his grandmother has been doing all these years.

“She’s done more than her share of hard work,” he said. “Good hard work never killed anyone, and she’s been going for quite some time. Sharecropping and working with her hands. She did a lot of work, let me tell you.”

Patricia Cobb said her grandmother has never met a stranger, adding, “And she can talk your ear off, too. She just loves people.”

Jones said some days when she spends time with her daughter, Mary, she gets nostalgic and misses her mother.

“You can never replace your mother,” she said. “And I miss my momma.”