At 106, Suffolk woman ‘could just bounce like a ball’

NORFOLK, Va., (WAVY) – Dorothy Southall has it all, and she’s another year older and another year wiser as on Thursday, she turned 106 years young.

Dorothy, or Dottie as her family calls her, was born in 1918 and is enjoying another year around the sun.

“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.”

Blessed and grateful. That’s how Dottie feels marking her 106th birthday.

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

Dottie was wearing a birthday tiara, and was surrounded by flowers, balloons and even a cake. She enjoyed 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.”

Dottie lived on her own until she was 103. Now, she is in a residential care home in Norfolk 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 Integrated Care Manager with Sentara Population Health Karen Spencer.

She has even opened up to others about the history she has seen.

“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 her to talk about those days growing up.”

According to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau, out of 8.6 million people in Virginia, fewer than 200 were aged 105 or older.

“We always try to meet people where they’re at and look at helping people navigate healthcare so they can care for their loved ones,” Spencer said.

Dottie said she is trying to enjoy every inch of life. Asked what her secret is to living so long, she said there is no secret.

“Look around and see all the happy faces and you enjoy,” Southall said. “That’s the way I feel.”

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