GOOD OLD DAYS: A century of good living, making friends

Eva Parsons was born the year the Chicago Cubs last won the World Series.

Most people double-take when they are told Parsons is 100. Her complexion is that of a woman decades younger, and she is more active than many people a quarter her age.

Parsons walks regularly — both in her neighborhood and in an annual 5K — and exercises at the Oasis Senior Center.

“Because I have been active with my body, walking and exercising all my life — not smoking, not drinking — I’m in pretty good shape,” she said.

Parsons lived in Compton for decades before she and her husband moved to Corona del Mar in 1993 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

“I’ve loved living here,” she said. “It’s been a real joy. I’ve made many, many friends.”

She stopped driving in January, when she was 99 1/2 .

“I was a good driver, but I decided to quit,” she said.

Parsons moved to Compton with her family from the Midwest when she was 16.

She has lived through two World Wars, the Great Depression and the development of advances from penicillin to the pop-up toaster.

But it was the radio that brought Parsons and her future husband together.

“We didn’t have a radio until after we moved to California,” she said.

When a young electrician brought a battery charger for the family’s new radio to the Parsons residence, she couldn’t help but notice him.

They were married two years later, in December 1927, when she was 19 and he was 21.

Lewis Parsons soon transitioned from being an electrician to a firefighter and became Compton’s longtime fire chief.

“They were a couple that set a good example for my brother and I,” grandson Michael Parsons said. “He’s the best man I’ve ever known.”

His grandmother concurred.

“He made me what I am today,” she said. “I probably wouldn’t be the same person today if I hadn’t married Lewis.”

They were married for 65 1/2 years before Lewis’ death.

“We had a wonderful life,” Parsons said.

Her Corona del Mar home, which she shares with her son Richard, is filled with birthday flowers, gifts, cards and letters, including one from the Today Show.

More than 200 people attended her 100th birthday party.

“Those were definitely 200 people who really love her,” grandson Michael Parsons said.

Parsons had a couple of unexpected visitors at her party as well.

“I was thoroughly surprised when two huge firemen showed up,” Parsons said.

She had befriended them when she brought their firehouse a cheesecake, following a comedic attempt to teach them to make their own.

“They’ve been my friends ever since then,” she said.

That kindness is one of Parsons’ most fundamental traits, grandson Michael said.

“She just reaches out to people,” he said. “I think that’s just a wonderful quality, and that’s why people love her so much.”

“I don’t know when the Lord is going to call me, but I’m ready,” she said, smiling.

CANDICE BAKER may be reached at (949) 494-5480 or at [email protected].