Deeotha Johnson celebrated her 90th birthday March 10 with a surprise party given by her sons, Johnie and Michael, at the Long County Senior Citizens Center.

About 80 family and friends attended the affair. Many were local but others came from as far away as Mississippi, New Jersey, Maryland and South Carolina.

Johnson was the oldest child born to Willie and Annie Jones in Long County on March 13, 1928.

The oldest member of St. James Missionary Baptist Church and the widow of Willie Fred Johnson, she worked for 28 years at the Long County Registrar's Office before retiring in 2017.

In recognition of her birthday, the American flag was flown at the White House and then it will be mailed to her.

When asked about the keys to longevity, Johnson replied, "Trust in God, daily prayer and living right."