102-Year-Old Widow To Be Evicted For Landlord's Daughter

LADERA HEIGHTS, CA — A 102-year-old woman faces eviction from her Ladera Heights home next month so her landlord can move in his daughter, a recent law school graduate.

Friends are rallying around Thelma Smith, a spry widow, who lost most of her family. However, she has few options left as the deadline for her to leave approaches. Her remaining family lives on the East Coast, and she can't afford an assisted living home, CBS2 reported.

A family friend told CBS2 Smith would need government help, as well as assistance from family and friends to make such a move.

When the landlord was asked by CBS2 if he would kick out a 102-year-old woman, which he can legally do, he responded, "Would you take care of your child?"

Smith has until June 30 to move out. A former executive secretary for the Sugar Ray Youth Foundation, Smith told CBS2 she's stayed healthy so long thanks, in part, to clean living.

"I couldn't stand the smell of beer," she explained.

However she ended up remaining active at 102 and finding herself facing homelessness, Smith said her philosophy is just to do the best she can.

"I have tried to live a good life. I never wanted to harm anybody."

City News Service and Patch staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.