The "Centenarians,"

as they are called, received certificates from the Fulton County Human

Services Department's Office of Aging during its Older Americans Month

kickoff recently.

"We wanted to pay special

tribute to those individuals who have been blessed with long life and

continue to grace the community with their wonderful presence," said

Melinda Davis, director."Fulton County coordinates senior services

such as nutrition and case management that help them, and their younger

counterparts down to age 55, live fuller, more wholesome lives."

Honored for reaching triple

digits in age were, from the oldest to the youngest:

Henry "TY" Wright,

age 110, East Point; Jennie Cantrell, age 105, Atlanta; Alice J. Bartlett,

age 101, Alpharetta; Dollie B. Parks, age 101, Atlanta; and Ruth Johnson,

age 100, Palmetto.

Recognized for being just under

100 were: Tommie Gardner, age 99, Atlanta; Ethel Banks, age 97, Atlanta;

Rosa Smith, age 97, College Park; Richard Owens, age 96, College Park;

Artemus Jordan, age 95, College Park; John Eidson, age 95, Fairburn; and

Helen Moore, age 95, Atlanta.

Fulton County is celebrating

Older Americans Month during May with events emphasizing public-private

partnerships depicting the theme, "What We Do Makes a Difference."

For more information, call

the Office of Aging's Information Hotline, 404-730-6000, or go to www.myfultoncountyga.us.