Reba Files, 93, of Bellefonte, Pa. attributes her longevity to God, staying active, eating good food, and having healthy relationships. Reba lives alone, drives herself around Bellefonte and State College, cooks a weekly meal for her entire family, plays bridge and pinochle with friends, and walks 40 laps every day in her apartment hallways.
Reba met the love of her life a month after her high school graduation on a bus ride to Philadelphia. She married Bill Files on June 19, 1943 at the age of 19-years-old. After living in Virginia and New Jersey, Reba and Bill moved to State College, Pa., where they would spend the rest of their lives raising their four children, Marilyn, 72, Sharon, 68, Elaine, 62, and David, 61. Bill passed away in 2002.
Reba stands under the shadow of an oak tree planted in memory of her husband Bill. The tree was planted in Spring Creek Park in the spring of 2002 after Bill passed away from heart disease. / Photo by Cameron Hart
Reba and her family pray before eating dinner in her Graystone Court Villas in Bellefonte, Pa. Reba and her daughters take turns cooking dinner for her son and their brother David, every day of the week after his wife became ill. / Photo by Cameron Hart
Reba writes an appointment on her calendar. She refers to the calendar for her daily schedule. / Photo by Cameron Hart
Reba scoops meatloaf from a pan with her oldest daughter, Marilyn Lee Severance. Reba prepares dinner for her every Wednesday at her apartment at Graystone Court Villas. / Photo by Cameron Hart
From left, Elaine, Marilyn and her husband Bud Severance, and Reba video chat with Reba's granddaughter Anastasia and grandson, Moses Claudis after dinner at Reba's apartment. / Photo by Cameron Hart
Reba shares a moment with Betty Kriner, who taught Reba shorthand during her time at South Hill Business Institute in State College. After her children left home, Reba was on of the first students to attend the school. She majored in secretary administration after her husband was laid off from his job at HRB-Singer. Reba, who worked at Penn State in business administration said, "I felt I wanted to do something besides that. I felt I needed some experience after motherhood"
/ Photo by Cameron Hart
Reba looks through a photo album as her daughter Elaine Files watches. Bill and Reba had four children Marilyn, 72, Sharon, 68, Elaine, 62, and David, 61. / Photo by Cameron Hart
Reba, right, talks with the current owner of her former homestead, Barbara Devanny, left, about the pachysandra she planted at the house Bill and her built in 1965. The Files family lived in the house in Martin Terrace for 30 years and sold the home to Barbara and her husband Ralph Colby, who have owned the home for 16 years. / Photo by Cameron Hart
Reba walks towards her private garage, where she parks her 2002 Toyota Corolla. Reba's license plate reads EPB- 6442, which Reba said means, (Everybody, Praises, Bill, 6 family members, 4 kids, 4 spouses, 2 parents) / Photo by Cameron Hart
Reba only drives locally. She usually drives to the grocery store, her daughters house in Bellefonte, to play cards in State College, and church. / Photo by Cameron Hart
"I had my license renewed four years ago but I'm going to quit before too many years. I feel confident when I'm driving because I took drivers ed and I had a very good instructor when I learned. I took that when we were living on Penn State's campus." / Photo by Cameron Hart
Reba talks with a friend outside the Hotdog House in Bellefonte, Pa. Reba knows many knows many people in the community. / Photo by Cameron Hart
Reba waits in line to vote at an election polling place inside Remodelers Workshop, a kitchen remodeling showroom in Bellefonte, Pa. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016. Reba, who said she voted for Donald Trump, said five months later, "I must admit, I don't know what to think of our president".
/ Photo by Cameron Hart
A poll worker helps Reba Files submit her ballot at an election poll inside of Remodler's Workshop in Bellefonte, Pa. on election day. At age 22 the first president Reba voted for was Franklin D. Roosevelt. / Photo by Cameron Hart
Reba writes down all her friends names so she can memorize and remember them. / Photo by Cameron Hart
Reba plays pinochle with friends in her apartment lobby.
/ Photo by Cameron Hart
"Its nice to pass time, sit there chatter, entertain and keep up with things" Reba said.
/ Photo by Cameron Hart
Reba learned to play bridge with her husband Bill when they first moved to Warrington, Va. They eventually taught all their children how to play the card game. "Bill and I always played with couples but now I only play with the girls"
/ Photo by Cameron Hart
Reba reminisces while looking at photos in her apartment in Bellefonte, Pa. / Photo by Cameron Hart
Reba eats alone in her apartment in Bellefonte, Pa. / Photo by Cameron Hart
