ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – A retired educator celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday.
Johnnie Mae Van is a St. Augustine native who has degrees in Math, Chemistry and Spanish from Florida A&M University and Columbia University.
She briefly taught in several cities nationwide and in Mexico.
Ms. Van eventually returned home and taught at Richard J. Murray High School in West Augustine for 35 years. She continued to teach and mentor young people after her retirement.
She is an active member of her church and has been a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated for 70 years.
Ms. Van’s secret to a long life is to keep God first, pray for peace, work hard, be independent and always save for a rainy day.
Friends and family plan to celebrate her with a birthday party.