On Wednesday, Climax native Vernice McDowell celebrated her 100th birthday in the company of family and friends at the Bainbridge Manor.

McDowell was born on a farm in Climax to her dad, Mitch Logue, and her mother, Mamie Mobly Logue, and was one of nine children. She had three sisters and five brothers.

She had four children, 14 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 18 great great grandchildren and four great great great grandchildren. She was a seamstress by trade, and continued making clothes for people even after retiring.

She loved her family dearly, family members said, and also was a devoted member of West Street Baptist Church, who awarded her a plaque for teaching Sunday school for 40 years.