Family, Love & Wisdom: Hawley resident celebrates 104th birthday

HAWLEY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Saturday was a time for celebrations in Hawley for one resident who hit a major milestone. Madie Phillips marked her 104th birthday surrounded by friends and family, but in her heart, she still feels as young as ever.

“I feel just like I did when I turned 25 or 30,” Phillips said. “Someone wanted me to write a memoir. I said, let me tell you, if you wrote one over 104 years, you’d be busy a long time.”

Her granddaughter Jeanetta McKnight planned her surprise birthday party, which she knew would be the best gift for Phillips.

“She’s not a materialistic type of lady. She loves her family. She wants her family here. I think that’s just what she does. She loves family, she loves friends, and she just loves everybody to be together” McKnight said.

Her friends and family describe her as someone always ready to share a smile and offer good advice. McKnight said the time they spent together and the wisdom she shared will always hold a special place in her heart.

“My favorite memory of my grandmother is being around and watching her be with her grandkids, great grandkids. I remember growing up and getting to go to work with her and watching her work and just her showing us how to cook and how to be in the garden, how to work hard and just giving us advice on how to be your own person and just living life full, living life at the full speed and just do your own thing, be your own person,” McKnight said.

When asked what the secret to a long life was, Phillips said she was not quite sure but gave her advice for going through hard times.

“I guess that’s God’s secret, because I don’t have a secret,” Phillips said. “I’ve had good times and bad times, but you kind of pull through. You have to work through.”