A Century of Kindness: Renie Marshall celebrates 100 years of life, family and memories

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Renie Marshall recently celebrated a century of kindness, grace and memories with her family, starting the special day with breakfast at Betty’s Cafe. 

Born in St. Joseph, Marshall grew up on a farm on the south end of town. Life was simple back then. There was no running water, no telephone and, as Marshall put it, not even many good clothes. 

“Everybody around us lived the same way, so we were considered poor, but we didn’t know it because everybody was the same,” she laughed.  

Despite having fewer conveniences, Marshall believes people may have been happier back then. 

She remembers her mother having a clever way of getting the family to help out. When they needed money, her mother would send Marshall and her siblings to a house that had a foundation to see if they could earn some money, while she stayed home and got a little time to herself. 

Marshall also remembers the work that went into everyday chores.  

“We had an old stove with a boiler on the side, and my two sisters and I went to the spring and carried water,” she said.  

Without a telephone, staying in touch with family meant writing letters. Marshall would write to her grandparents and then walk to a neighbor’s house to mail them. 

She lived on the farm until she was 11, when her family moved to St. Joseph. It was there that she experienced running water and a refrigerator for the first time. On the farm, the family used an old-fashioned icebox.  

“My dad would go to the town in the old model Ford to get an old chunk of ice, put it in a sack and put it in his car, and by the time he got home with it, it was a lot less,” Marshall joked.  

Family dinners also came with their own set of rules. The adults always ate first, and the children got whatever was left. 

Marshall fondly remembers when her mother made fried chicken. She and her siblings would each grab a piece of chicken and run, only to be caught a short time later. 

Today, Marshall still enjoys a simple morning routine. She likes to start her day by reading the Bible before making herself a cup of coffee. 

She also spends plenty of time working on puzzles, something she believes helps keep her mind and body active.  

“I think that keeps your eyes moving, your hands moving, helps in a little bit of thinking,” she said.  

For her daughter, Leesa Kerns, reaching 100 years is something the entire family feels blessed to celebrate. 

Kerns recalled spending time with her mother in the fields where the family raised tobacco. Those memories have stayed with her over the years.  

“All the time, I loved spending whatever time I can with my mom. Now, I visit her, and she tells me stories. I love to hear her stories,” Kerns said.  

Kerns said one of the hardest parts has been watching her mother age, but she remains grateful to still have her mother here to share those stories and memories.  

“I hate to even think that she won’t be here someday,” Kerns said emotionally.  

Now, Marshall’s family is making sure her 100th birthday is celebrated surrounded by the people who love her most. Kerns, her siblings and their families will gather with Marshall on Saturday, Aug. 15, at Copeland Baptist Church to celebrate 100 years of life, family and memories.