Bingham/Photo Provided
The year was the 1920. Babe Ruth was in his first season as a New York Yankee, D.W. Griffin’s silent film Way Down East was the top grossing movie in the world, Amarillo had a population of just over 15,000 people, and Warren G. Harding was the newly-elected President of the United States.
That was also the same year that one of our city’s oldest and most beloved residents, Mary Sue Bingham, was born.
Bingham, who recently celebrated her 101st birthday, fittingly spends her days living in one of Amarillo’s most historic neighborhoods. Living through perhaps one of the most important 100-year periods in American history, Bingham has seen it all, from the Allied victory in World War II to the creation of the iPhone.
Still, Bingham has remained a happy and strong presence in the Amarillo community. As her grandson, Kip Billups, says, Bingham has remained active and even still has a valid driver’s license.
Throughout her life, Bingham has remained happy and thoughtful. Reflecting on her life and longevity, Bingham says the key to longevity may be to look forward to the things ahead.
“I don’t know, after the doctor said good attitude,” Bingham said. “And I never have thought about it, but I think you have to have something to look forward to you that you want to do.”
And what is her secret to a long and happy life?
“I like to make quilts, and crochet, and make clothes,” Bingham said. “I’ve got enough stuff years to live 150 years.”
For the next generation, Bingham says the best advice she could offer is to find something that you love and invest yourself in it fully.
“Do something that you like, stay busy doing something,” Bingham says.
And Bingham has certainly followed her own advice, immersing herself in things she loves.
We wish Mary Bingham and her family many more happy birthdays to come.