Days Gone By: After 100 years, Effie Smith just keeps on going Effie Smith of Kiblah, Ark., turns 100 next week. By JOHN FOOKS/Gazette Staff KIBLAH, Ark.-Effie Smith has never lived anywhere else but Kiblah, but to her way of thinking that's all right with her. Celebrating her 100th birthday on Aug. 25, she's seen more than enough of life that living anywhere else would satisfy. "My dad, William Simington, was born in Kiblah and died in Kiblah," Smith said as she eased into her wood chair on the front porch of her A-frame farm house one hot, mid-week afternoon. She's never had air conditioning and doesn't need it. The window fan works just fine, thank you very much, and the gentle breeze that wafts by her house brings cooling relief throughout the day. "I'm the oldest of six children and remember the day when the Spring Bank Ferry opened up. There's a historical marker there now, but no ferry," Smith recalled. "I've outlived just about everybody, but have one brother still living in California." Her husband, Webb, died in 1965. But like her resistance to moving away from Kiblah she's never had the slightest desire to remarry. He was 19 and she was 17 when they married. She had one child, whom she has outlived, but his offspring gave her three grandchildren and six great grandchildren, at least a few of whom will drop by on her birthday to wish her many more. Most of the others live too far away to attend, except for a granddaughter, Hazel, who has been planning her grandmother's 100th birthday party from her home in Kansas City, Mo. The party will be held next Saturday at the Community Center in Kiblah, and everyone in the community is invited. Smith's niece, Travestine Johnson, lives just down the road. And being as astute as her aunt, regularly stops by for her favorite meal of country greens and cornbread, which she has enjoyed since she was young child growing up in Kiblah. Now she usually has her 3-year-old daughter, Dawn, in tow. "Aunt Smith is one of those old-time cooks who doesn't have to measure anything and knows how to cook just about anything," Johnson said. "She's also always been a hard worker, and I remember she used to come down and help my mother with my three brothers and three sisters." Johnson said her aunt is in good health and doesn't mind letting people know what she thinks. "She's not afraid of anything," Johnson said, laughing. "You get to be her age, I guess you have a right to say and do whatever you want."