Holly Springs' oldest resident gets fire truck joy ride to celebrate 103rd birthday

The Holly Springs Fire Department took the town's oldest resident on a ride in the department's newest fire truck to celebrate a milestone birthday.

Martha Leach, who will turn 103 next month, had never ridden on a fire truck and lives near the station. She waves to firefighters and police from her front porch.

Police and firefighters always wave back and often stop to exchange pleasantries, family members said.

Leach’s trip on the fire truck included a seat up front for the five-mile drive through town, the opportunity to blow the engine's loud horn and greetings from friends and neighbors, who held signs wishing "Miss Martha" a happy birthday.

Leach smiled and waved to people from the engine, but when asked if she'd like to drive the big red truck, she replied with a smile, "Oh, no, I would drive into the ditch."

She was born in 1915 and has never owned a car. When asked what her secret to living so long, she said, "The Good Lord's spared me to be here."

Leach will turn 103 in early July.