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Happy Birthday! Woman turns 109 years old

Peggy Cobb, who in 1915, is turning 109 years old. The staff and fellow residents at Hammond Glen Retirement Community in Sandy Springs.

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — A metro Atlanta woman is celebrating more than just her age but also her exemplary service in supporting women. 

Peggy Cobb, who was born in 1915, is turning 109. On Wednesday, she commemorated this milestone with the staff and fellow residents at Hammond Glen Retirement Community in Sandy Springs.

"I don't feel any different at all," she told 11Alive about turning a year older.

RELATED: Sandy Springs woman pursuing her dreams with new children's book event at her 108th birthday

Cobb is one of six siblings and the fourth of five daughters. According to the retirement community, she graduated from college, receiving her education degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Education from St. Cloud State University. 

She has been a part of the P.E.O. International, Philanthropic Educational Organization, for 75 years. It is an organization that has provided about $431 million in financial assistance for women since 1869.

At her birthday party on Wednesday, her retirement community celebrated her with a fashion show, a birthday cake celebration and a happy hour. 

Her father owned a small bank, which sadly had to close during the Great Depression in 1929. Her family then turned to farming for a living, the retirement community said. 

As she turns 109, she takes one piece of advice from her father. 

"It is 'furnish your mind well, and you will always have a comfortable place to live,' and that says a whole lot," Cobb added. 

She followed that with more inspirational quotes that have stuck with her in life.

"I know I'm just repeating something, but people get so stuck in their ways; I have a quote for that 'Be flexible, and you won't get bent out of shape," Cobb said. "Then, they follow by the third thing, 'humor, never leave home without it,'" she added. 

Watch her full interview with 11Alive below.

Cobb was also married for 59 years and lived through 18 U.S. presidents. She said she believes Abraham Lincoln was one of the most wonderful presidents. 

She doesn't have a secret to living long, but curiosity has been her friend. 

"I don't think there's any secret to being [109]. I just think keep interested in something. I'm on this penny kick right now," Cobb added. 

"I think curiosity is my middle name, and there's so much going on in today's world and space, and the planet Earth and even the oceans. It's just amazing to me how much there is. I just keep interested in what's going on," she told 11Alive on her birthday.

Her advice to young people is to "keep curious" and take advantage of what is out there.

"Young people today take advantage of all the technology there is today, which is absolutely amazing to me. I just can't imagine ever being bored about anything because just keep interested," Cobb said.

According to her retirement community, Cobb has also written a children's book for her 108th birthday called "Painter Pan: The Rainbow Man." 11Alive was at her book signing last year; click here to read more about her book.

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