At 106, Virginia woman so happy she 'could just bounce like a ball'

NORFOLK, Va., (WAVY) – Dorothy Southall is another year older and wiser at age 106, and she feels as though she has it all.

“I could just bounce like a ball, you know? Bounce up and down with the way I feel," Southall said. "In other words, I’m happy."

Born in 1918, Dorothy, or Dottie as her family calls her, said she feels blessed and grateful to have celebrated her 106th birthday on Thursday.

“God has blessed me to be here on this earth this long and be able to have half of my sense,” Southall said.  

Southall, wearing a birthday tiara, was surrounded by flowers, balloons and a cake. She made sure to enjoy a slice on her special day.

“You just feel so blessed that she's here and pretty healthy, you know?" said her great-niece Voncier Kelly. "She's still alert and she's talking [and] has a great sense of humor."

Southall lived on her own until she was 103. Now, she lives in a residential care home in Norfolk, Virginia, with hospice support, and she says it feels like home. 

Her caretakers from Sentara Population Health say she is talkative, and a joy to be around. 

“She is just amazing to talk with and listening to her life story,” said Karen Spencer, an Integrated Care Manager with Sentara Population Health. 

Southall has even opened up to others about her life. 

"When she was born in 1918, it was the Spanish flu," Spencer said. "It was the end of World War I, and we talked to her about what kind of music she liked. We were playing the jitterbug, and she was just dancing on her little feet. She said she used to pop her coattail and she loved it. I was really inspired."

According to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau, fewer thank 200 of the 8.6 million people in Virginia are 105 or older. But when Southall was asked about her secret for longevity, she said there isn't one.

"Look around and see all the happy faces and you enjoy," Southall said. "That's the way I feel."