On June 6, 1938, The Tribune in Coshocton, Ohio, told the story of Carrie “Mother” Kirk, who had never learned to read and write. There was a really good reason for this, and that was that she was born into slavery in North Carolina and worked in the fields there. As a result, she never attended school, which meant that she never learned the skills of reading and writing.

Now a retiree, Mother Kirk kept herself busy by taking classes that were offered by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). She was taking classes in things like weaving shopping bags, making paper flowers, and so on. But when those courses ended, she opted to sign up for reading and writing classes.

At the time this article was published, she was observed slowly writing her name on a piece of paper. This was supposedly the first time Mother Kirk had ever done so. But when she got back home later that day, she told the reporter, “I just can’t get reading and writing through my head.”

Her teacher disagreed. She claimed that Mother was doing better than most of her students, who ranged in age from 22 to 70, with one exception. That was Mother Kirk. She was 101 years old, and for her age, she was in really good health. She said, “I have a little rheumatism now and then, but that’s about all that ails me.”

The reporter described her this way. “She is slightly plump, almost wrinkleless, and can see and hear excellently. She likes to keep busy and does her own housework and cooking.”

When questioned about her secret for a long life, Mother Kirk replied, “Just trust in the Lord, that’s all.”

Well, I guess one is never too old to learn a new skill. You may be wondering how much longer Mother Kirk lived, but I couldn’t find that answer. She is listed as being 103 years old in the 1940 census, but I was unable to locate any record of her death or burial.