Beulah McConnell and Bertie Cooper have more than one thing in common. Both are patients of SouthernCare Hospice in Clanton, and both celebrated their 101st birthday on the same day last week.

McConnell is quite active as she begins her second century of life. She still plays piano at her home church, Marbury Church of God, attends the local senior center daily, and practices her faith whenever she gets the opportunity.

McConnell says her secret to life is trusting the Lord.

Cooper is a native of Evergreen but spent most of her life in Montgomery. She moved here in 1999 to live with her only son and daughter in-law, Mike and Nancy Cooper.

Tammy Noah, community relations specialist for SouthernCare Hospice, says both ladies have a very sharp mind.

“Both of these ladies are just eloquent ladies,” Noah said. “It’s an honor for us to be able to take care of them.”

McConnell met her husband on a train when traveling from Florida to Birmingham, and five weeks later they married Feb. 16, 1923. She accepted the Lord as her Savior at age 18 in a women’s prayer meeting.

After talking with a friend, McConnell decided to move her family to Jemison to get away from fast-paced city life. Unfortunately, their home burned to the ground, and they lost all they had.

Through prayer and faith, in 1948 the McConnells found a cozy little home in Marbury where she remains to this day.

“Ms. McConnell has had many storms in her life but continues to be faithful to her Lord and her faith,” said chaplain Darrell Jones.

Cooper moved from Evergreen to Montgomery in 1928 and soon thereafter married James M. Cooper.

The couple were married for 50 years, and she lived on her own until moving in with her son’s family.

Note: SouthernCare Hospice did not release the ladies’ actual birth date to protect their privacy.