Inell M. Lyles has been alone for a long time, but says she is far from lonely.

The 91-year-old retired teacher and widow cites being busy and her belief in God as the secret to her longevity.

“You got to use it, or you lose it,” she said. “There are plenty of activities around Natchez if you are looking.”

When The Dart landed on Zoe Street in Natchez on Wednesday, Lyles was finishing up her supper before heading to one of her activities, the weekly Bible study and choir practice.

Lyles moved to Natchez with her family when she was 16-years-old in 1938, and she has been here ever since.

One of the draw backs to living so long is Lyles has had to endure the death of friends and her husband, Lennie Lyles, who died in 1990, but remains forever positive.

“There are times I get that down feeling, and I don’t want to get out of bed,” she said. “But I always do.”

“I’ve loved living a long life.”

And even in her advanced years, she takes full advantage of the time she has. Lyles does water aerobics, is active in the retired teachers association, does much work at her church and regularly sees friends.

“I didn’t expect to live this long,” she said. “I don’t just want to exist. I want to really live until I die.”

But even though Lyles is active and healthy, she counts herself lucky to have lived as long as she has.

“I can only credit God,” she said. “Regardless of what we do and how we treat ourselves any day could be our last.”