105-year-old woman attributes her long life to faith: 'I don't take medicine, I depend on God'
A 105-year-old South Carolina woman refuses to take medication, choosing instead to rely on the Lord to keep her well.
Dorothy Geiger is a former minister who just recently stepped down from the pulpit. She credits her faith in the Lord for strengthening and maintaining her well-being in her advanced age.
"Hallelujah. Glory to God," she told WLTX. "I'm still doing what he tells me to do."
Geiger founded God's Miracle House of Prayer for All People after the Lord told her to become a pastor.
"God told me to build a church and he told me where to build it at," she said. "And I built it."
The Orangeburg woman also believes she is being obedient by refusing to take any medications.
"I don't take medicine," she said matter-of-factly. "I depend on God."
Geiger's goddaughter, Myra Elmore, said that her godmother's faith has been an inspiration and encouragement to her over the years.
"She was always encouraging me," Elmore intimated. "'Okay, I know it don't look right. It don't look like its in your favor but that's all right, because in the long run the Lord got a blessing waiting on you."
A couple who had been wed 80 years celebrated their anniversary last week.
Maurice and Helen Kaye of Bournemouth, England met when Helen was 16 and Maurice was 17 years old. The Kayes are now 101 and 102 years old, respectively.
"I didn't think it would last a week but it's amazing it's lasted 80 years," Maurice told BBC.
The Kayes have two surviving children, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Their 66-year-old son, Larry, said that setting goals contributes to his parents' longevity.
"They wanted to see their grandchildren, then their great-grandchildren and now they want to see their great-grandchildren grow up," he said.
Helen said that their marriage is built on tolerance and forgiveness.
"You mustn't be hard on each other," she explained. "And if you have to give in a little bit, you give in a little bit."