For years, Americans have watched Dr. Opal Lee lace up her tennis shoes and walk mile after mile, often in the Texas heat, on a mission to spread the story of Juneteenth across the nation. Now, the community is celebrating along with the woman known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” as she t urns 100 years old on October 7th. NBC 5 Anchor Brittney Johnson sat down with the living legend ahead of her milestone birthday. “Wow, gee whiz, a hundred years,” Lee said. “They passed pretty fast, I think.” The Fort Worth activist, who helped lead the push to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, has a week of celebrations planned, including a visit from former First Lady Michelle Obama and time with family. But during a recent conversation at her home, Lee spent little time talking about headlining and history-making moments, such as receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, her Nobel Peace Prize nomination, or even having a Barbie made in her likeness. Instead, she talked about family. “Life has been extremely good to the old lady,” Lee said. Recalling her children when they were young, she smiled. “The prettiest and the best baby,” she said. “How cuddly they were, how beautiful they were, and I loved them so much. I think I spoil them.” While her activism carried her onto the national stage, Lee says the moments she treasures most are rooted in her life as a mother, grandmother, and wife. “I remember being young,” she said. “Lots of places that I’ve been and people I’ve seen. The fact that I made it, you know,” she said. “High school. Marriage so quick, it would make your head swell. Babies born, wow.” She also fondly remembered her late husband. “He was spit and polish, you know. Everything had to be just so until he met me. Poor soul,” she joked. “He didn’t have sense enough to know how many ladies liked him. And I wasn’t one of those. I had other things in mind. And so he came a-courting, you know? It turned out real well. We got married.” After 100 years of living, Lee said the lesson she hopes to pass on is simple. “With the help of God and a family, I made it,” she said. “And so, I’m wanting young people to realize that there’s a God up there that will help you get through the rough spots. And if you’ve got family and they love you, they’ll help you too. You don’t have to try to do it all by yourself.” Though Lee may have been the one leading marches and making history, her family has long been her foundation. These days, they are by her side every day. Her granddaughter, Promise Roland, now serves as her legacy manager and caregiver. “I think I was 42 or 43 the first time I ever seen my grandmother lay down in her bed,” Roland said. “She was always on the go…Now I see it more as a blessing to be able to be here with her and serve her in the way that she’s served so many other people.” The days of walking across the country may be behind her, but her family makes sure she keeps moving. “It finally set in that she’s at the point of her life where she just wants to read a good book, maybe watch a little Blue Bloods and rest,” Roland said. “So life looks different, but it looks how she wants it to look.” Today, the woman once known for walking miles to promote Juneteenth enjoys simpler pleasures, such as reading, spending time with family, getting her nails done and having breakfast with her great-grandson. Even after all she has accomplished, Lee insists there is still work to do. “There’s so much else that needs to be done. So much,” she said. “If people will just catch hold to it and see that and share with everybody. The federal holiday, I’m going to enjoy it as much as anybody. I can think of a lot of other things that we need to be doing.” While there’s more to be done, she says it’s time for others to take the baton and march on. She’s ready to take it easy. “Lord, you could leave me and just put the plate under the door and leave me alone with a good book,” she said. When asked what she thinks about the attention surrounding her 100th birthday, she simply smiled. “Well, bless their hearts,” she said. “I hope they make it to this hundred, too,” she said. “Don’t figure I’ll make another hundred, but this one’s been pretty good.” ...read more read less