After six decades of waiting, Ronnie Smith finally turned 15 on Monday.
Smith, of Avoca, was born on Feb. 29, 1956.
"I never went without a birthday," he smiled. "Obviously it wasn't the right day, but we had cake and ice cream. My family didn't have a lot, but we would celebrate.
"I was very aware that I had a special birthday. Being from this area, birthday parties were not a big thing. But, we had ice cream -- homemade."
Smith, the third of five children born to John and Shirley Smith of Avoca, said he now lives just 17 feet from where he was born. One sister died before he was born. A brother has since died. His other siblings, John Smith Jr., Gail Smith Whitney and Ricky Smith, all live in the area.
Joking that he is now celebrating his 15th birthday, he said: "Most folks will say 'Now, I understand.'"
"I measure my birthday in quarter years," he said, a big laugh punctuating the comment. "It's fun. It's unique. It amazes people to figure out how old I am. Very few people share my day. It's cool."
Smith and his wife, Paula, have been married 42 years and have four children -- Jeannie, Rona, Cooper and Sawyer, and one grandchild, Brantley. He owns an excavation business.
Just think: It'll be 2020 when he turns 16, finally be old enough to get a driver's license.
Community on 03/02/2016