The only girl among six siblings, Minnie was, no doubt, the family pet as she grew up in Decatur, Texas. She enjoyed the activities of her brothers, especially down at the "swimming hole" on the farm. When she was seventy-five she could still float like a cork and amuse us by lying back on the water and reading a newspaper.

Active Presbyterians, Minnie played the pump organ where her father was an Elder and Sunday School Superintendant. When she was twenty-three, her marriage to JOSEPH EDWARD WHITE, a prosperous railroad man from Ft. Worth, was a special event. Uncle Joe was employed by the Rock Island R.R. and was with them until he retired, serving over thirthy-five years as a passenger conductor. They bought their home at 608 Hemphill (Ft. Worth) early in their marriage and lived there over forty years. Since Uncle Joe had no family, he welcomed Auntie's kirth and kin as his own and always made us feel welcomed.

It was always a treat to visit them and they saw to it that we had a good time, such as going to the zoo, cooking breakfast at Forest Park, swimming at the Natatorium and, as we got older, going to some of the concerts and special events. I shall always be grateful for getting to hear the great Galli Curci sing and to see Harry Lander do his Scottish songs and dances.

At Auntie's there was always time for games and we learned to play Muggins, Rook, Old Maid, Authors, croquet and such. She also taught us how to embroider and crochet and at rest time she would read aloud to us. I"ll never forget Scottish Chiefs!

Since Uncle Joe could get passes on the railroad, they would travel a lot all over the U.S. and came to visit us often. It was like Christmas when Auntie came, always bringing little gifts and chewing gum. I can still remember how her suitcase smelled from all that chewing gum. Auntie sewed so well she often would make five little dresses alike for us five girl cousins, all born in 1904. They were Ruby Ola, Frances, Gertrude, Josephine and Mary Gertrude.

For many years Auntie and Uncle Joe owned a cottage on Lake Worth and we could go out and spend days at a time playing games and playing in the water. Uncle Joe could fish off of the porch when the water was high but I can't remember if he caught anything. Since Ted was in the Nehi Bottling business we had lots of soda pop and good food. With the White's their motto was "the more, the merrier".

Mary Gertrude's health had always been a problem so they went all out in making things cheerful for her. She was so talented in music, sewing and painting. She would have gone far if her health had permitted. We treasure many of her oil paintings scattered among the family, and she also did water colors and china painting. In spite of a high I.Q., she was unable to finish high school but lived a fairly normal life. She dated some and had one serious love affair, but the blight of her physical condition prevented her marrying.

The Whites were always devoted Christians and all three belonged to and attended Broadway Presbyterian Church faithfully. For many years Auntie taught Sunday School and always gathered up the neighborhood children to go along. Sunday dinner was a treat at the White's for Auntie and Gran (Mary Jane Gililland) were both such good cooks - peach cobbler with thick cream, roast beef that could be cut with a fork, hot buscuits or cornbread - and in those days we had never heard of calories or high colesterol!

The Whites left 608 Hemphill in the late thirties and lived on Lovell St. in Arlington Heights. After Uncle Joe's death Auntie bought a home in Polytechnic where they lived until the end. Auntie died nine years before Mary Gertrude, who surprised us all by keeping house by herself for several years. The last year or two, however, were spent at Colonial Hills.

It was not so much the events that happened as it was what Auntie was to us all, a loving, wisecracking promoter of fun and happiness for those around her. She was a great gal!

Frances Gilliland Hunt
Sept, 10, 1979

Footnote: MINNIE OLA GILILLAND was born on April 12, 1876 in Decatur, Tx, daughter of John S. and Mary Jane Gililland. On Dec.6, 1899, Minnie married Joseph E. White (b9/6/1862, d 1/28/1942). One daughter was born of this union, Mary Gertrude, on Oct. 20, 1904. Minnie Ola died in Ft. Worth on Aug. 10, 1964. Mary Gertrude died in Ft. Worth on Nov. 26, 1973. All 3 are buried in Decatur, Tx.

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