Fayetteville, Ga. – On Sept. 5, the community gathered to honor Mabel Dunbar, who turned 112 years old. The celebration featured a custom berry cake, fresh flowers and a crown, reflecting the love and respect her family and friends have for the longtime resident.
Family ties and faith at the heart of a long life
Born in Jamaica in 1914, Dunbar moved to the United States decades ago and has spent the majority of her adult life caring for others. She is a mother, grandmother of four and great‑grandmother, and she attributes her remarkable longevity to two core pillars: a close‑knit family and a deep, personal relationship with God.
“God is love and I love my families,” Dunbar told guests at her party. “I love all my families and strangers.” Those who know her describe her as “deeply religious, pleasant and talkative,” a sentiment echoed by the local FOX 5 Atlanta crew who covered the event.
Staying active and engaged
Even into her nineties, Dunbar remained active. She continued to cook breakfast for herself each morning and delighted in sharing stories with visitors. After moving to Florida in 1994 to live with her daughter, she returned to Fayetteville in August 2025 to be close to her granddaughter and grandson‑in‑law, reinforcing the importance of multigenerational support.
“Treat them the best you can, because they are important,” she advised younger family members. “You need them when you can’t help yourself like me. These good people are on me all the time, and I’m happy to see them when they come.”
Health research backs the power of faith and community
Medical experts have long noted the link between religious involvement, strong social networks and longer, healthier lives. A 2016 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine examined more than 74,000 women over 16 years and found that women who attended religious services more than once a week had a 33 % lower risk of death compared with those who never attended. Regular attendees also tended to smoke less, experience fewer depressive symptoms and enjoy stronger social support.
Leading oncologist and bioethicist Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel has outlined lifestyle principles that echo Dunbar’s habits: maintaining an active social life, staying mentally engaged, limiting processed and sugary foods, exercising moderately, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding clearly dangerous activities.
Inspiration for the community
Dunbar’s story serves as a reminder to Fayetteville families that nurturing relationships and keeping faith at the center of daily life can have profound benefits for both spirit and health. As the oldest documented resident in the area, she stands as a living testament to the power of love, prayer, and intergenerational support.
Her celebration not only honored a remarkable lifespan but also highlighted values that many in the community hold dear: strong families, steadfast faith, and the wisdom that comes from a life lived in service to others.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
