99-year-old Memphis beautician still styling hair, plans to retire on 100th birthday
MEMPHIS, Tennessee -- At age 99, beautician Callie Terrell said she still works because she loves her job.
"I work because this is what I've enjoyed doing all my life," she said. "From a little girl, I always loved messing with my sisters' hair. They had beautiful hair. And I always enjoyed doing this."
She only works to keep busy and to satisfy a few longtime customers, like her daughter Inez.
According to the state of Tennessee, Terrell was first issued her cosmetology license on January 30, 1945. Now, she looks forward to her 100th birthday on November 26 to retire.
She says work is part of her secret to longevity. She once had her own thriving salon, but now she rents a space in a local shop.
"I'm not used to just being up in the house," she said. "You see, I worked so long, I've just been around people and doing something exciting. Most old people, they're so dry and droll. I can't deal with that. I gotta live and do the things that make me happy."
And don't expect to find her sitting around the house, doing nothing, once she retires.
"I just be waiting on somebody to call and say, 'Callie, you busy?'" she said. "They say, we're doing so and so, so I jump in the car and go. I just want to do something."
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