As several of Shirley “Dutch” White’s great-grandchildren gathered around him last weekend in his Cedar Creek home, making preparations to celebrate his 104th birthday on Feb. 8, you could feel the respect and love.
But there was a bit of humor, too, thrown in by the youngsters.
“He taught me to trust in God,” said Tykeija Moore, White’s great granddaughter.
White was a longtime deacon with Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church, so he regularly inspired his relatives with spiritual messages.
“When I was little he taught me how to pray,” said Chris Higgins, a great grandson.
When Chris added, “But he always told me don’t roll my eyes because they will pop out of my head,” everybody in the room laughed.
And while White has a little difficulty speaking, the sparkle of amusement that showed in his eyes seemed clear evidence that he heard and appreciated the comments of his great-grandchildren.
Three of White’s daughters – Gloria Budd, Carolyn Moore and Fannie Kyles – were also present.

Saturday celebration
All of the family members were pretty excited as they prepared for a barbecue celebration this Saturday, Feb. 6, two days before Shirley White’s birthday. Relatives from across the state, and Oklahoma, too, are coming to the celebration.
It will be at Mr. Brown’s Family Barbecue at 386 Old McDonald Lane, off of Texas 21.
“The celebration starts at 3 p.m. and local friends are encouraged to come,” Kyles said.
Kyles said this birthday celebration will be especially heartfelt for relatives because White’s wife, Sue Willie White, who was 95, passed away two days after last Christmas. They were married 74 years.
“God brought them together, they married and raised 11 children,” Kyles said. For many years, Shirley White was a carpenter in the Cedar Creek area and he also helped build the original Camp Swift.
“My father’s faith and passion for God inspired me to write a song for him,” Kyles said.
The first verse goes: “You were born a hundred years ago; You are really special you know; We learned about the Lord from you; You taught us the right things to do; That’s why I sang this song to you; Its cause I love you, you know I do.”