Inez F. Jeffries may be turning 100 years old on Tuesday — but you would never know it. The spry Jeffries said, “I love life. If you live it and live it right, you can live longer and happier.”

Jeffries has no secrets to her longevity. “I am not a dieter, and I am not an exerciser — although I do take care of myself,” she said. “I just think if you’re sensible, you’re going to be okay.”

Challenging the mind is an essential for a complete life according to the Marietta resident. “We can’t ever stop learning. You don’t give up when you get older. You just keep on,” she said. “Everything we learn that is new is added to our vocabulary. I (still) like to live a good full life, and I do.”

Born on a farm in Rome in 1912, Jeffries was one of 10 girls and six boys. There were no twins or multiple births in her family.

“My mother and daddy were, I think, the best that could be had. I’m so proud of my family,” said Jeffries, who has two sisters still living.

For 42 years, Jeffries worked as an interior designer specializing in businesses and homes. She worked for Mary Olen who owned the Blue Door in Spartanburg, S.C., for six years until she opened her own business, I. Ford Interiors.

“I worked in (interior design) until I retired in the ’80s,” she said. “I guess ambition got me into it. I’m the type person that I see beauty in everything. I don’t care what you look at or have; God’s creation is so beautiful that I see beauty in everything. I guess that’s why I’m a designer.”

She was married to the late Kenneth L. Jeffries. They did not have children. Having lived all over the country, Jeffries moved to Marietta when she retired to be close to family. “You always want to come back home,” she said.

Jeffries, a member of Macland Road Baptist Church, attends Sunday School and church most every Sunday. She faces her life “head-on,” saying , “You face (challenges) everyday. That’s all you can do is take care of them. If I have a problem, I want it finished early. I don’t want to drag it on. I’m not a problem person. I can’t take too much of that — and don’t want to.”

The delightful Jeffries lives life to its fullest everyday. She likes to travel, garden and decorate.

“I’m a busy person. I like to be doing something that’s gratifying and interesting to me. I love my flowers and everything. I love people. I love everyday,” she said. “I’m not ready to slow down anytime soon.”