Blog 3815 – 05.03.2026

Follow-Up to Betty’s Birthday 

At noon we gathered, family and fans of Betty Lou Stokes, alias Mom, Grand mom, Great Grand mom, and Dear friend, at the Outback Steakhouse in Spring, Texas, a northern suburb of Houston, to celebrate Betty’s 89th B-Day. Everyone there had one aim in mind to let Betty know how very fortunate we all believe ourselves to be to know her and be loved by her.

Michelle, Betty’s daughter Sarah’s daughter, who bakes specialty birthday cakes, provided dessert after our meal and just before Betty opened her presents. Betty rose afterwards to give a rare speech in which she thanked us all for making her feel so loved. I, not being one to hold my peace, since I was a shy young teenager, piped up saying what everyone of us knew to be true that she is one of those rare people that is quite easy to love.

Before we all went our ways after the two hours celebration of Betty’s birthday we paused for the traditional group photo that Sarah insists that we take to remember such family gatherings. Thank you, sweet sister Sarah. My wife Linda was unable to attend and was missed by all, especially Betty. I tried to make Betty’s birthday wish come true by giving her a small framed photo of her and Wallace, the love of her life, together. I know she wished she could have shared her 89th birthday with him.

In her eighty-nine year adventure in time and space Betty has touched a lot of lives and continues to do so. We love so much, Betty, and wish we could be more like you. We hope to get to celebrate your 90th B-Day and beyond with you.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

David James White

Here are a several more pictures that were shared on Facebook yesterday honoring Betty’s Birthday: