Oner Pearl Bridges, center, is shown with her nephew Paul Bibbins Jr., left, and niece Nicole Bibbins Sedaca at her 102nd birthday celebration Friday at the University City Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in West Philadelphia.

Oner Pearl Bridges was surprised by family and friends for her 102nd birthday Friday in West Philadelphia. The retired retail worker, who folded shirts and helped keep shoppers fashionable, was beautiful and stylish herself at the occasion. The celebration was attended by family from Virginia, as well as friends and staff members from the University City Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center at 3609 Chestnut St.

Bridges, born Oct. 3, 1923, in Northampton County, Virginia, told The Tribune that she credits her longevity to living a good and wholesome life. “It is important to eat properly, stay in good company, and to continue to live,” she said.

Her cousin Delane Brown described Bridges as a sociable person. “She and her husband held pinochle card parties every weekend with family and friends,” Brown said. “She doesn’t have a problem speaking her mind. She loves to keep people laughing. She was always saying something funny. And she has never drank or smoked.”

At the celebration, Bridges wore beautiful white pearls and sat for the birthday song in front of a huge cake adorned with pink and white icing and pink flowers. Bridges’ nephew, Paul Bibbins—son of Bridges’ older and only sister—attended the party along with his wife, Betty Bibbins, and a group of relatives who affectionately refer to her as “Aunt Pearl.”

Bridges is the daughter of Sally and George Seaton and was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Capeville (Cape Charles, Virginia), where she used to walk to church, according to her family. Growing up, she attended Sunday school and was a delegate for her church’s Virginia convention.

After graduating from Northampton County High School in 1941, Bridges moved to Philadelphia, where she married Lundy Bridges in 1951. The couple was married for over 40 years until her husband’s death in 1993.

Bridges was a member of the Mount Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church at 42nd and Wallace streets in West Philadelphia under the late Rev. Marshall L. Shepard Jr. and later his son, Rev. Lorenzo Shepard, said Brown. She joined the church in 1959 and was active in the Flower Club, serving as president of both the Willing Workers Club and the Calendar Club.

“She drove her car to church and took care of herself until about age 90,” Brown said. “After her car was totaled and caught on fire, she walked to church and would visit her friends at the St. Ignatius Nursing Home.”

Paul Bibbins shared that although his Aunt Pearl moved away from Virginia, she would return around the holidays and stop to visit her sister and mother, who lived just two doors apart.

Betty Bibbins described Bridges as “outspoken and a trailblazer to us. It was courageous of her to pack up and leave home, move to Philadelphia, and there she survived and met and married her husband.”

After retiring, Bridges earned certificates in home nursing, infant care, and sewing from West Philadelphia Adults in Power Sewing. While attending senior citizen centers, she learned to make beautiful arts and crafts, ranging from afghans to unique table settings, Christmas decorations, and calendars, many of which were sold.

“It is a blessing to turn 102,” said friend Stephen Hall. Another friend, Dawn Vevle, added, “I’m so excited about this party, I can’t wait until I turn 102.”

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