She was Abilene's first female physician, has had a hand in nearly everything done at her alma mater over the past eight decades, and Tuesday, Dr. Virginia Connally joined the ranks of less than one-percent of the United States population -- she turned 100 years old.
"I'm so excited, I'm just delighted," said Dr. Connally, as the sounds of "Happy Birthday" rang out around her.
Dr. Connally graduated from Hardin-Simmons University back in 1933, arriving on campus at just 17 years old.
"Shy, timid, didn't know anybody. And now, I know nearly everybody," she laughed.
Since then, she's earned numerous honors from HSU -- from an honorary doctorate to an induction into the university's Hall of Leaders.
She's also paved the way for women in the medical field, opening her practice in downtown Abilene in 1940 after graduating with her M.D. from Louisiana State University.
That pioneering spirit has inspired hundreds of students who walk through the halls of HSU.
"They think, if Dr .Connally can do this in the 1930s, I can do this in the 21st century," said Lanny Hall, current President of Hardin-Simmons University.
Tuesday, dozens of Connally's colleagues, friends and HSU students gathered to celebrate.
The birthday bash was thrown inside the building named for the centarian, the Connally Missions Center.
"In fact, I told her a while ago, she's been so special all her life, turning 100 is no big deal," laughed Jesse Fletcher, a close friend of Connally's and President Emeritus of Hardin-Simmons University.
"It's not just a matter of duration, it's a matter of the quality of life she's brought to this point," Fletcher said.
And if you're wondering what it takes to live through an entire century...
"I tell you, ask God. He has the plan for my life," said Connally.
"I'm so excited, I'm just delighted," said Dr. Connally, as the sounds of "Happy Birthday" rang out around her.
Dr. Connally graduated from Hardin-Simmons University back in 1933, arriving on campus at just 17 years old.
"Shy, timid, didn't know anybody. And now, I know nearly everybody," she laughed.
Since then, she's earned numerous honors from HSU -- from an honorary doctorate to an induction into the university's Hall of Leaders.
She's also paved the way for women in the medical field, opening her practice in downtown Abilene in 1940 after graduating with her M.D. from Louisiana State University.
That pioneering spirit has inspired hundreds of students who walk through the halls of HSU.
"They think, if Dr .Connally can do this in the 1930s, I can do this in the 21st century," said Lanny Hall, current President of Hardin-Simmons University.
Tuesday, dozens of Connally's colleagues, friends and HSU students gathered to celebrate.
The birthday bash was thrown inside the building named for the centarian, the Connally Missions Center.
"In fact, I told her a while ago, she's been so special all her life, turning 100 is no big deal," laughed Jesse Fletcher, a close friend of Connally's and President Emeritus of Hardin-Simmons University.
"It's not just a matter of duration, it's a matter of the quality of life she's brought to this point," Fletcher said.
And if you're wondering what it takes to live through an entire century...
"I tell you, ask God. He has the plan for my life," said Connally.
