06/09/2026
By Camille Howard
I received a call several weeks ago from Juanita Pennington, a local beautician at The Beauty Corner in Petersburg.
She wanted to know if the Press would be interested in stopping by the shop and talking to one of her customers, who happens to be 104 years young.
I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to visit with someone that age and still visiting her hairdresser.
It was a terribly rainy morning and I was worried that the appointment had been canceled, but that was not the case.
I dropped in and met Juanita who was working on a perm for Joy “Nanny” Harper. She is a most interesting person with a sense of humor and quick wit.
Juanita has been styling Joy’s hair for about five years. Joy said she always did her own hair in the past, except on special occasions when a trip to the salon was needed.
Juanita pointed out that Joy still had quite a lot of dark hair, and if I’m not talking out of turn, puts a little rinse on it to even out the color.
Joy is from Seneca Rocks in Pendleton County, and spends her time taking care of her garden and flowers (with a little help), enjoys listing to the Bible on audio, and still does some light household duties.
Her caregiver/companion, Lisa Raines, takes good care of Joy and helped Juanita to finish the rinsing of her perm.
I enjoyed the friendly atmosphere of the shop, listening to other customers and Betty Rohrbaugh, the shop’s owner.
Juanita asked Joy if she could stand taking time to have her hair roller curled and dried under the drier and Joy replied, “I’ve come this far, I’ll finish it up!”
I asked Joy what was her secret to a long life. She laughed and said it was take the least medicines you can and don’t always run to the doctor!
It sounded like good advice and one that has proven true for her.
Her hair turned out lovely under the expert hands of Juanita. I like the idea that age doesn’t require we give up a little pampering. I told Joy she gives me hope!
Lisa sent me a poem Joy had written when she was an eighth grade student attending the little white one-room schoolhouse at Mouth of Seneca under the tutelage of Hurl Butcher.
The school is still standing today in Seneca Rocks on the Carl and Shirley Yokum property.
It took an entire winter to compose, but after reading it, I think it was worth every minute.
