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Students celebrate with centenarians

Dr. Frances Staten and two Grambling State University students recently attended a life-changing  experience that many receive the opportunity to witness. 

The students, Shakeitra Evans, and Darcelle Deruise, met two centenarians who reside in Monroe, Louisiana. 

“We met Thomas Brown and Lucille Staten, centenarians of this age and time,” the students said.  

Courtesy photo Standing behind the centenarians (from left) are Darcelle Deruise, Shakeitra Evans and Dr. Frances Staten, GSU professor.

Courtesy photo
Standing behind the centenarians (from left) are Darcelle Deruise, Shakeitra Evans and Dr. Frances Staten, GSU professor.

A centenarian is a person who lives to or beyond the age of 100 years old. Because life expectancies everywhere is less than 100, the term invariably associated with longevity. A super-centenarian is a person who has lived to the age of 110 or more, something only achieved by about one in 1,000 centenarians. 

Brown is an extinguished and devout man that love the Lord; Brown is 103 years old. Lucille Staten who is 102 years of age, is also a women that love the Lord.

During the services of celebration, Staten repeated that “You have to be born again.”

In her words you have to have a relationship with God. These two individuals that have lived beyond the normal lifespan said that their religious beliefs are one of the reasons they are still here.

I sensed a feeling of joy that was upon both Brown and  Staten. My family and I were there to enjoy this wonderful occasion. We fellowshipped and conversed with the centenarians. It was reported to me that Staten just celebrated another birthday, so she is now 103 years old,” said Evans.