Biographies:  Martha Wyatt Howard, 1971, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From:  April 29, 1971 Winn Parish Enterprise-News American

Claims To Be 107

"Aunt" Martha Howard Is Over 100 Years Old

Martha Wyatt Howard, better known as "Aunt Martha" by Winn Parish residents
around Dodson, says she'll be 107 years old on June 28.

Aunt Martha says her birth date can be verified by the family bible of the
Higgs family, which is now in the possession of Wallace Higgs.

The late Mrs.  J. C. Higgs is reported to have said that Aunt Martha Howard
will be 100 years old June 28, and not 107.  In either case, Aunt Martha
has been here a long time.

Even at her age, Martha Wyatt Howard is remarkably alert.  Although her
eyesight has failed her, her hearing remains excellent and she is able to
converse quite well.

Aunt Martha still walks, with the help of friends and family, and recently
walked from her home to church, about one mile.

Martha says she is the youngest of Henry Wyatt's 11 children.  She says her
father was a slave, but claims that he had been freed at the time of her
birth.  Aunt Martha says her long life is not remarkable, her father,
Henry, was 118 when he died, according to Martha's account.  Aunt Martha
had eight children of her own, five of them are still living.

Brought up working, trying to scratch out a living, Martha never found time
or the opportunity to attend school.  But later in life, she did attend a
state supported night school when Huey Long was governor.  At this school,
she learned to read and write.

Aunt Martha says she is feeling fine, but adds "My feet hurt after 107
years walking around."