Pauline Haskins, a resident of Stone Ledge Manor in Thonotosassa, turns 100 next month.
These days, Pauline Haskins has a lot to look forward to.
Besides Christmas, which is one of her favorite holidays, the first month of 2017 marks a major life milestone: her 100th birthday.
The Stone Ledge Manor resident will celebrate triple digits on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017.
In 100 years, the Madison native has seen it all. Born in 1917, Pauline Haskins rode to school in a wagon before cars became the norm. She’s lived to travel in a car, a plane and see the birth of her eighth great-great-grandchild.
The third born of eight children, Pauline Haskins is the last one living of her seven siblings.
“I didn’t think I’d be here this long,” she said. “I’ve had pneumonia three times. The Lord will take me when He’s ready.”
Baptized at 17, Pauline Haskins remains deeply rooted in faith. She continues to attend church services.
The daughter of a farmer, she was raised on hard work. For fun, she and her siblings would challenge each other to dares.
“As a teenager, I played with my brothers in the fields,” Pauline Haskins said. “There was a stump out there and they said I wouldn’t jump off of it. I did, but I bit a hole in my tongue. If my brothers dared me to do (something), I’d do it.”
Pauline Haskins relocated to Lakeland as a young adult, where she worked as a nanny and a housekeeper.
It was in Lakeland where she met her husband, Jack, who worked for the railroad.
“He stopped in and spoke to us while I was working,” Pauline Haskins said. “But he didn’t come back for two weeks, so I figured that was it.”
He finally did come back, and asked her on a date.
“I was very surprised,” she said. “We went with each other for a full year before we were married. He was a gentleman.”
Jack Haskins took his future wife out on dates once per week.
“We went dancing,” Pauline Haskins said. “I was raised on a farm and we didn’t go to dances. (Jack) was a perfect dancer.”
The two were married in 1940 and spent 49 years together before Jack Haskins’ death in 1990. During their marriage, Pauline Haskins worked as a dietician at Mango Baptist School where she planned and cooked meals for the school. When she wasn’t caring for her family, she enjoyed caring for begonias and rose bushes in her garden.
Though she lived throughout Florida for most of her life in Madison, Jacksonville, Tampa and Seffner, Pauline Haskins also enjoyed traveling with her family.
“We used to go to North Carolina in the summertime,” she said. “We would drive through the mountains.”
Together, the couple had three daughters: Gale, Ann and Faye.
“They were good girls,” Pauline Haskins said. “I never had any trouble with them.”
Throughout her life, family has remained a top priority. She has four grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.
“I love them all,” Pauline Haskins said. “My grandchildren are just like my own.”
She looks forward to the holidays because they include family get-togethers. Throughout her life, she has enjoyed cooking for her family — especially chicken and dumplings and coconut cake.
“That was my husband’s favorite,” she said. “We’ve always had Christmas and Thanksgiving family gatherings, and we always had get-togethers on birthdays.”
Though many of her family members have moved away from the Sunshine State, the family will be gather again on Jan. 7 for her birthday party — a centennial milestone.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
