<strong>Photos by Bob Sofaly</strong>

Ruth Simmons Coates celebrated her 100th birthday on Tuesday, March 30.

And as if that wasn’t enough, her friends and family surprised her with a drive-by birthday parade in front of her house in Port Royal.
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When asked how she made it to 100 years old, she had a solid answer, “Help someone,” she said. “Be kind to your fellow man. Always show and give love freely. Treat everyone you meet with respect. Do unto others as you want to be done to you. Find someone or something every day that you can make better. It's the little things, but they are simple.”

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An extended note from family celebrating Coates’ birthday can be found at <a href="https://bit.ly/3tgrT9x">https://bit.ly/3tgrT9x</a>.

– From staff reports

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