99-Year-Old Beautician Callie Terrell Plans To Retire For Her 100th Birthday

They say if you’ve found your passion, you should stick with it. That’s what 99-year old Callie Terrell did. The beautician from Memphis, Tennessee has been doing hair for the last 73 years and plans to retire on her 100th birthday in November. She currently holds the record for being the oldest licensed cosmetologist in the state. Can you get into that level of dedication?

Obtaining her cosmetology license in January of 1945, the seasoned hairstylist has built quite the clientele! She has some longtime clients, but her most regular customer is her daughter Inez. Mrs. Terrell has proven herself to be extremely independent. Don’t be surprised if you see her on the road! The vibrant senior still has her driver’s license.

During her career, Mrs. Terrell owned her own salon. Now she rents a booth in a local salon to remain active while doing what she loves.  “I work because this is what I’ve enjoyed doing all my life. From a little girl, I always loved messing with my sisters’ hair. They had beautiful hair. And I always enjoyed doing this,” she said.

Mrs. Terrell credits working as her secret to longevity. Being a contributing member to society by means of employment is a feeling many of us take for granted. “I’m not used to just being up in the house. You see, I worked so long I’ve just been around people and doing something exciting,” she said. “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.”

Mrs. Terrell proves that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. As much as she enjoys doing hair, she is looking forward to hanging up the stylist apron and living the retired life. If this isn’t goals, I don’t know what it!