Mrs. Madge Betts White celebrated her 99th birthday Wednesday with family, friends and fellow residents at Riverside Place.

Mrs. White told the gathered audience, which included Jeanie Whiddon, her water aerobics instructor at the Bainbridge Decatur County YMCA, her daughter Brenda Cloud, Gloria Coppinger, Cleo Lynn, and Betty Knight, about the reason she is able to lead such a long and productive life.

Following a prayer by Mrs. White’s longtime friend former Decatur County Agent Tommy Wheeler in which he thanked the Lord for giving Mrs. White’s Christian love, wisdom and knowledge to so many through the years. He also talked about what a Christian role model she is to so many.

“Madge White is a shining Christian light to all she meets,” Wheeler said. “She challenges us all to be a shining Christian example to all we meet.”