Long-time Gridley resident Betty Barrow celebrates her 100th birthday with her children. From left are Lynn Leishman, Brad Barrow, Betty Barrow, Matt Barrow, Tawnia Singleton and Valerie Butterfield. Photo by Amber Barrow

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Betty Jensen Barrow celebrated her 100th birthday both in Utah, where she now resides, and Gridley, where she lived most of her life.

She was part of the group of Latter-day Saints who migrated to Gridley from the once-thriving town of Metropolis Nevada. Metropolis residents experienced economic reverses, extreme weather and the loss of water rights. For example, on the night of July 4, 1924, the temperature in Metropolis dropped to well below freezing. That night, all the alfalfa froze and the potatoes and gardens were wiped out.

Metropolis families moved to Gridley between 1924 and 1938. Barrow’s father was a teacher in Metropolis. Her family moved to Gridley when she was 12 years old.

She married Omer Barrow in 1950 and they raised five children in Gridley. 

Barrow’s 100 years have given her much wisdom.

“I wake up every morning and make my bed and say, ‘I’m going to be happy!’ And then I am,” Barrow said. “Take what life throws at you and make the best of it.”