One of Britain's oldest women and a lover of kick boxing, line dancing and going to the gym, has just celebrated her 110th birthday.
Great-great-grandmother Merah Smith only stopped her activities in the last seven years on doctor's orders and the fit super-centenarian plans to make it to 115.
She and puts her long life down to eating chicken, fruit and veg and her faith.
Mrs Smith, who was born on November 9, 1912, the same year the Titanic sank, celebrated her birthday surrounded by friends and family.
Last year the party was much smaller due to Covid precautions, but this year the house was bustling with friends, family and even the Mayor of Croydon.
Purple decorations hung around Mrs Smith's granddaughter's house in the borough and the woman of the hour, who donned a party tiara, sat amongst the chatter and music on a long table set up ready for her birthday meal.
Mrs Smith said: "I am very blessed. After the rain yesterday I prayed for a nice sunny day, and look today, there is sun and no rain.
"It shows that you must always have faith in God."
The former nurse, who is originally from Jamaica, is known as Louise.
Mrs Smith said: "I loved being a nurse, I just love to help people."
Only when she developed a knee problem and doctors warned she should take it easy, did the centenarian pack in the kickboxing and her other favourite hobby, line dancing.
Mrs Smith has three children, Irene, 87, Tony, 76 and Icha, 64, six grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
When asked what the secret to her long life was, Mrs Smith said: "Eating good food like chicken, vegetables and fruit.
"No stress, but most of all reading the bible, praying and trusting in God.
"I was born in Kingston Jamaica and moved to the UK in 1963.
“I tell you what, I didn’t expect to live so long but anytime the Lord wants to take me, I trust him, he can take me.”
Mrs Smith says her favourite decade was the 1930s when she was in her 20s and met her husband - James, who sadly passed away from stomach cancer in the 1950s.
She added: “One of my proudest moments was meeting and marrying my husband, but he died before me.”
With this year being more free due to less Covid restrictions, Mrs Smith has been able to keep going to her beloved church, Thornton Heath Evangelical Church, where she has built friendships and community.
Trina Harris, 53, who drives Mrs Smith to church, and works there, said: "Louise has been going to the church for years. She is so dedicated to the church and we are so happy we could celebrate with her today."
Another one of Mrs Smith's many friends said: "Louise has a love of the Lord, a love of life, and a love to look out for people - something she does everyday.
"In her life, she's always enjoyed everything to the fullest. She's the heart and soul."
Her son Tony Smith, 75, a retired decorator, cares for his mother and always cooks her delicious fresh food. He said: "I knew she was going to live a long time.
“She told me she’s aiming to live until 115, and look there’s nothing wrong with her. She eats good food and believes in her church, that’s what keeps her young.
“She used to exercise a lot, going to the gym and kickboxing until only a few years ago when the doctors said she should stop.
“She would also go line dancing in Croydon with her troupe.
"She is so strong and has a sharp memory and can remember everyone’s name in photographs.
"She's a person that just keeps giving. I’m proud of her.”
Tony's partner Joycelyn Moecombe, 69, who is a retired youth and community worker, said: "For me I love her energy - she's very very aware and she's very independent."
Mrs Smith has received a card from the Queen every year since turning 100, but this year is the first year she has received one from the King.
At 103, she flew to Jamaica for a two-week holiday and attended her granddaughter’s wedding in Cumbria, travelling back down to London on the train.
Asked what the biggest changes have been over the past century, Mrs Smith answered: "The biggest changes are happening right now.
“I want people now to turn their heart towards God.
“People now choose what they want to do instead of following God's ways.”
Britain's oldest woman is Ethel May Caterham, 113, born on 21 August 1909 from Ash Vale in Surrey.
