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KNOX COUNTY, MO. -- A Knox County woman had the celebration of a lifetime a day in advance of her 100th birthday, which falls on Jan. 30, 2012.

On Sunday, Irene Gardner was treated her like a queen, as her nephew Dr. Jim Gardner and his descendants dedicated the day to her in anticipation of her 100th birthday. First, there was a parade in her honor and then she had a big party at the Knox County Nursing home where she has lived for the past four years.

Irene Gardner was born near Knox City. She said she grew up in town but soon learned how to become a country girl when she married her late husband, Alfred "Doc" Gardner and they moved to a farm near Hurdland, Mo. 

On the eve of her 100th birthday, Gardner said she's happy to be alive.

"I'm here. I'm still here. I'm still fighting it," Gardner said. "What else is there to do? "I'm glad I'm alive. It's great to enjoy it. I feel good today.I've enjoyed seeing all of my relatives...everything that was done. I've enjoyed every bit of it. I'm so blessed with good health.  Now, if I have a little sick spell, I want that to be it.  Just get it over with."

During the party, family and friends looked at her scrapbooks that included her 1929 class photo. Also, they saw photos of her and her 1929-1930 Knox City Basketball team. Gardner said she used to play the guard position and swears she could run fast. She said right now, she's rooting for the Kirksville girls basketball team.

On display were also presents that Gardner received from President Barack Obama; family members say a letter is on the way.  

Perhaps the most insightful thing said during the interview was when Gardner mentioned he had all types of tragedies in her life, including her husband losing his hand due to a farming accident. She said through it all, she's still here and still fighting.