Betty Garrison turned 100 on December 21, and true to form, she didn’t slow down for it.
“I don’t feel 100,” Garrison said with a smile. “There’s still too much work to do.”
Her milestone birthday was marked with an open-house celebration followed by a large family dinner that brought together roughly 70 relatives. Friends, family members, and community leaders gathered to recognize a life that has been deeply intertwined with Salina for a full century.
Garrison, a lifelong Salina and Saline County resident, has witnessed nearly every chapter of the community’s modern history. She remembers Model T cars and the moon landing, the rise of modern technology, and the gradual transformation of downtown Salina. Through it all, she has remained active, engaged, and deeply connected to the place she calls home.
Her professional life reflected that same consistency. Garrison worked for decades as a secretary for Dean Evans, beginning in 1943 and continuing until 1991. Before that, she wrapped gifts at Duckwalls, a downtown five-and-dime that once served as a social and retail hub. Early on, she briefly tried teaching, stepping into a classroom for one semester while filling in for her aunt during a pregnancy. After that experience, she decided teaching was not for her and chose a different career path.
Volunteering and connection have been defining threads throughout her life.
Over the years, Garrison has given her time to Girl Scouts, Hospice of Salina, the Tammy Walker Cancer Center, and PTA organizations. She remains active in church and civic life and continues to meet regularly with her sorority, a tradition she has maintained for decades.
“She’s always been busy,” family members said during the celebration. “That’s just who she is.”
Today, Garrison still enjoys going out to lunches, events, and social outings with the help of family and friends. She credits walking, staying involved, and keeping a full calendar for her longevity.
She is thankful for good health and often says she feels blessed to live without pain. With support from her family, she continues to manage her daily routine and maintain an active lifestyle.
Technology remains part of her everyday life. Garrison uses an iPad, plays solitaire, listens to audiobooks, and texts regularly. She reads often, particularly books focused on World War II and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Travel has also been a major part of her story. Garrison has visited all 50 states and still talks about future plans, including an Alaskan cruise.
Asked during her birthday celebration about her favorite inventions, she didn’t hesitate.
“Cell phones,” she said, quickly followed by heated car seats.
Her reflections include moments of joy and loss. Among her favorite memories are marrying her husband, Bob, a marriage that lasted more than 50 years until his death in 2003, and the birth of her only child, Rob, who arrived in an unconventional way, born in a cart on the way to the delivery room.
Rob passed away unexpectedly in January of this year. His loss has been deeply felt by Garrison and her family.
The birthday celebration reflected the warmth of her family life. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren moved in and out of conversations. Family members teased her gently, filled in details, and shared stories. There was laughter, interruption, and the unmistakable feeling of a life still very much in motion.
Garrison has no plans to move to assisted living. She prefers her home, her routines, and the familiarity of family close by. Independence, she says, isn’t about doing everything alone. It’s about staying connected.
As the birthday festivities wrapped up, Garrison remained characteristically understated about the attention.
She doesn’t dwell on the number. She doesn’t feel defined by it.
There are still walks to take. Still books to read. Still people to see.
And at 100, Betty Garrison remains exactly where she has always been, right in the middle of it.
