Centenarian Gladys Tyler, born March 18, 1908, has lived a life that has spoken for itself.

She has a strong faith that hasn't faltered.

Brought up in Orangeburg, Tyler recalls having to walk from her U.S. 301 residence to the Dunton Memorial School, where she attended and graduated.

"Some days it rained on us; some days it snowed on us, but I made it through the 12th grade," Tyler said.

She is the fourth oldest of 10 other siblings, all to whom she has survived. Her oldest of her two daughters is also deceased. Tyler's husband passed away the week following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

"President Kennedy died on a Friday, and they buried him on a Monday. My husband died that next Friday, and they buried him that Monday - and I've been standing here on the rock ever since," Tyler said.

A committed lifelong member of Jerusalem United Methodist Church, now known as Edisto Fork, Tyler said her involvement with the church has given her wisdom and a relationship with God that has held her up and kept her focused.

"I'm doing everything I can in the sight of God yet today to do the right thing. If I can't tell your child something good, I ain't going to tell him nothing bad," she said. "If I can't do a family a good favor, I ain't going to bother."

On her 100th birthday earlier this month, Tyler received cards from President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush as well as Orangeburg Mayor Paul Miller.

Tyler celebrates her birthday each year with relatives and friends at her residence, where attendees from as far as Florida come to join in the occasion.

And, throughout the year, Tyler gets lots of welcome visitors. There's never a week where someone from the past doesn't come by to check on her or bring her something, she said.

Tyler retired from the food services department of Rivelon Elementary School.

She said she's excited about turning another year older.

"Trust in God; put him first," Tyler said. "You put God first, you always come out."

T&D Correspondent Randolph Middleton can be reached by e-mail at randolph.middleton@gmail.com.

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