105 and still counting

Jet, Dec 6, 2004

* 105 AND STILL COUNTING: Russell James of Gore Springs, MS, recently celebrated her 105th birthday at a party with family and close friends at the Carson Community Center in Los Angeles, where she recently moved. James, who is fondly called "Mama Russell," is the sole survivor of 16 brothers and sisters.

She is the mother of eight children, grandmother to 30 and great-grandmother to 56. She worked as a farmer most of her early life. She credits her long life to Jesus Christ.