CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The fire department and police in Maywood circled a neighborhood block Saturday in a parade celebrating the birthday of Illinois’ oldest resident.
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Believed to be one of the oldest supercentenarians in America and the oldest person in Illinois, Mother Suzie Lewis, born in 1911, waved from her front yard in Maywood to a couple of dozen cars passing by honking their horns and dropping off gifts for her 110th birthday.
Born before the sinking of the Titanic, Lewis has seen a lot of change in her lifetime.
She couldn’t pick a favorite decade but got on a serious note, telling WBBM Newsradio she preferred even the hardships she experienced growing up over some things that are happening today.
“Because it’s so bad now. The killing, the murdering of little children. That didn’t happen in my day. Everything was different,” Lewis said.
In her opinion, Lewis said the most important change necessary now is that criminals need to be held accountable.
“If you do the crime, you’re supposed to do the time,” she said.
Taking a short break from dispensing wisdom, Lewis said she will be having ice cream and cake for her birthday.
She also spent time with her family, which includes “5 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 24 great-great-grandchildren and there are some great-great-greats even after that,” Lewis’ great-granddaughter Sarah told WBBM Newsradio.
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