Delmarva-lifer hits the century mark; reflects on past and present

“I am enjoying life thank God!” said Albert Clark, a Millsboro native and current Salisbury resident. You’d never be able to tell but on Friday he turned a century old. “I eat when I want. I go where I want to go. I travel,”

What makes his story so extraordinary you might ask? Well, other than the fact that he still drives on a daily basis, goes for the occasional stroll, and sings in a group. On a daily basis, he operates at a level you’d expect from someone half his age. While feeling as good as he did a decade ago.

On his birthday, “Ab” as he prefers to be called, told us, he’s seen so much in his 100 years. From advances in technology to social progressions, nothing stands out more to him than the strides society has made towards accepting each other. Regardless of race. “I never thought I’d think I’d live to see the changes that have been made now. How we can all get along and live together,” said Clark, “It’s scary sometimes. It makes you just want to cry, thinking about how we lived back in those days and how it is now,”

We’re told the wisdom and knowledge that Ab has amassed over time is something he’s passed down to his daughters Valarie and Vicki. “To love one another, to respect, and to work hard to get what you want in life,” his daughter Valarie Short told 47 ABC. “He’s always preached you help somebody. Help somebody along the way,” added another one of his daughters, Vicki Smith.

When asked about what helped him to reach this milestone age Ab told us he’s never been extremely health conscious, nor an exercise fanatic. But rather a man of faith. “The Bible says you’re once a man, twice a kid, so I guess I’m a kid now,” said Clark.

When asked about what he’s looking forward to next Ab said 120-years-old.