A bowl of ice cream a night for Lincoln centenarian

Centenarian Nellie Reyes, surrounded by family and friends, celebrated the momentous occasion of turning 100 years old on Saturday, March 29, in Lincoln. Born in the small town of Sweet Home, Texas, she learned the value of hard work early, picking cotton in the fields alongside her eight siblings and helping to prepare their evening meals. Even a devastating tornado that destroyed her childhood home couldn't break her spirit. At 18, her dedication to faith led her to the Latin American Bible Institute in Saspamco, Texas. After graduating, she devoted herself to teaching and counseling at various churches, touching countless lives with her spiritual guidance. Life took an enchanting turn in Roswell, New Mexico, where, while working as a grocery clerk, she met her soulmate Guadalupe Reyes, an airman stationed at Walker Air Force Base. Their love story, now approaching its 72nd year, has carried them across continents – from the landscapes of Michigan to the sunny shores of Spain. As the matriarch of a flourishing family tree that spans four generations, Nellie's legacy lives on through her four children, nine grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, with another great-great-grandchild on the way. Though she has outlived her siblings, her role as the family's prayer warrior keeps their memories alive. Her secret to longevity? A steadfast faith, abstaining from smoking and drinking, and perhaps most charmingly, enjoying a nightly bowl of ice cream.