2 Pandemics, 2 World Wars: Utah Woman Celebrates 104 Years of Life

By Megan Christensen, KSL.com Contributor | Posted - May 26, 2021 at 7:35 p.m.

PLEASANT GROVE — The posterity of Verda Howard Watkins gathered together at her assisted living home on May 14 to celebrate a very special occasion — her 104th birthday.

The centenarian has survived two global pandemics and seen two world wars but would not tell KSL.com the secret of living a long life.

"If I tell my secret, then I won't have any then, will I?" Verda Watkins said.

Watkins and her husband, Roy, who died in 2002, had one son, Carl. From their only child, they have gained seven grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Many family members came to enjoy cake and music with Watkins at her recent party. They were even able to get a five-generation family photo, though Carl did have to hold up a picture of one of the generations who couldn't make it to the party. "It was the best birthday party I ever had," Watkins said.

Carl Watkins said his mother's health is starting to decline, but she was sharp as a tack just one year ago. She is beginning to experience memory loss, but she strives to stay mentally active by listening to L.A. Dodgers games. Her son believes she could be the oldest Dodgers fan alive and said she wanted to live to see her team win another world series, which happened last year.

She also wanted to see her 34-year-old grandson get married. He tied the knot in January.

As life would have it for a 104-year-old, Verda Watkins has seen her share of bad days, too. Carl was born during the second world war, while Roy was in the army. Verda had to travel on her own with baby Carl from the Southern United States to Long Beach, California, where her mother lived and where they ultimately stayed for many years.

During her road trip she stopped in Clovis, New Mexico, to visit her brother, Melvin, who had just enlisted in the army. That visit was the last time she'd see her brother, who was killed in the war.

Not only did Verda give life to Carl, she saved it, too.

"She saved my life when I was about 6 years old," Carl Watkins said. "She pulled me out of the ocean. I was about to drown in there, I think." Carl recounted when he got caught in the Pacific Ocean's undertow as the most horrible day of his life at the time.

According to an audio recording from Sounds of Sunday, a radio show that Carl produces, the near-drowning incident occurred while the Watkins family was on a saltwater fishing trip. Carl made his mother nervous when he went swimming on the other side of the pier, so she followed him. Giant waves began crashing into Carl, pulling him into the ocean. A terrified Carl, facedown on the sand under the water, began to pray and felt inspired to dig his fingers and toes into the sand. He did just that as another wave came crashing down, and the water threatened to swallow him whole. Suddenly, Carl felt his mother pull him out of the ocean with all her might, and they made their escape just before another wave broke. Carl Watkins said his mother's drive and ambition inspire him. Verda, he said, had a great talent as a seamstress.

"I was in high school, and she always made my shirts to wear to school," Carl said. "She could go into a dress shop or into a clothing store, and she could look at a shirt, eyeball it and pretty much figure out how to make it."

Verda enjoyed square dancing with Roy and learned how to make square dancing dresses and petticoats. This led to her starting her own small business, which Carl thinks was a big accomplishment for her.

In her many years of life and wisdom, there is a mantra she has passed down to her son. "God helps those who help themselves," Carl said.

"I got that from her."