Sylvia Mallett has achieved a lot of milestones in her life.

She taught first grade for more than 40 years and reached 50 years of marriage in 1992.

But on Thursday, perhaps her most remarkable achievement yet occurred — she turned 104 years old.

“I don’t know how, but I lived it,” she said at her birthday party. “I tried to do what I could.”

Mallett’s shindig was thrown by the staff at the new Tabernacle Christian Church adult daycare center, where she is the first client.

“It is a pleasure for us to have her here,” said the Rev. Carlton Upton, pastor of Tabernacle Christian church. “She can be funny at times, and she can be strict at other times. We learn something new from her every day.”

Mallett was born in Pershire, Miss., on March 8, 1908. She was the daughter of Elnida and Charles Mitchell.

She and her husband had one daughter during their 50 years of marriage. But Mallett had plenty of children around.

“I worked with children a long time, and I loved the little boogers,” she said.

Mallett was treated to a lunch of fried chicken, salad, rolls and birthday cake.