Local woman celebrates turning 104 when her family surprises her at nursing home

KETTERING — A local woman Bessie Liter turned 104 today and her family surprised her by showing up at Oaks of West Kettering where she lives.

Liter was born in Kentucky in 1916.

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She was the oldest of 13 children and later moved to Ohio after getting married.

Liter has six children and several grand, great and great great grandchildren.

As for the secret to a long life, “Try to be good to everybody,” Liter said.

“Try to help everybody and have fun with everybody.”

To this day, Liter knits caps for underprivileged children.