Ethel Bowens, the oldest woman in Oklahoma, just celebrated her 110th birthday. As she marked the occasion, she spoke out to share the secret behind her longevity.

“Yeah, I’m happy to be alive,” she said simply.

Ethel was born in 1909, meaning she was alive when the Titanic sank and lived through World Wars I and II. She found love with her husband Volna, and they had six children together, including a set of twins born in 1953.

“We got started and couldn’t stop,” Ethel said. Now, her family is so big she can’t even keep track of all of them!

“I don’t know. I can’t count ’em,” she said

Not only does Ethel have her six children, she also has 29 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, and 46 great-great-grandchildren, with more on the way. No wonder she can’t keep track of them all!

In the end, Ethel knows exactly what the secret was to living her long life.

“One man,” she said. She was married to Volna for sixty years before he passed away.

Other things Ethel credits for staying alive this long include not smoking or drinking and her faith in God.

“What I really admire about her is her faith in God. She tells us that all of the time. She says that’s her lifeline,” said her daughter-in-law, Rhonda Bowens.

As you’ll see in the video below, Ethel also has quite a witty sense of humor! She has clearly lived a life full of love, family, and laughter, and we should all be as lucky as her.

Find out more about Ethel in the video below.