A longtime Fulton resident celebrated her 100th birthday on Thursday.
Shirley Drinkard was born May 12, 1916, in Argosia, Kansas. In that year, Woodrow Wilson was president, and it was the same year the Chicago Cubs played their inaugural game at the stadium they still call home, Wrigley Field.
Drinkard has lived in Fulton for over 75 years, moving here at the age of 23 to complete her studies at the University of Missouri. While she studied economics, she was also able to work and pay for her school expenses. "One of my ways for paying for school was teaching line dancing," Drinkard said with a smile.
Eventually, she graduated with a master's degree in economics, and quickly began to work with the University of Missouri Extension in Callaway County as the department chair and home economics teacher. She helped teach life skills and personal finance for the local 4-H program during the great depression.
Drinkard spent over 40 years in the service of the low-income community in Callaway County, and would regularly hold meetings and classes that were focused on helping people live prudently. "We were teaching how to make and preserve food and clothing, and how to manage personal finances," said Drinkard. "Our program was set up by the US Department of Agriculture in response to the great depression." Jayme Duncan, the administrator of Churchill Terrace assisted living center, says that Drinkard was instrumental in helping women survive while their husbands were away at war.
Drinkard also had a regular radio program every morning at 6 a.m. that was centered on helping others live within their means. For those that couldn't make it to the meetings or catch the radio show, Drinkard would regularly write columns for the Fulton Sun to make sure that the classes were easily available to all. "The newspaper was my right hand man," stated Drinkard.
With her 100 years of experience, Drinkard found that, "times were hard, and people adapted to what they had, much like today." Drinkard would make members of her class keep track of their weekly budget, and at the end of the week they would review the budget together and cut out anything that the people could do without. "My motto was don't spend more than you earn."
Along with her focus on living within their means, Drinkard urged members of the program to give their time and efforts to helping with a local church of charity. "People need to give of themselves, and help others," Drinkard said. "I don't think anyone would get along without help, everybody needs help in one way or another."
Eddie Drinkard, Shirley's son, was able to witness first hand his mother's dedication to helping people. "There was no goofing around, she was always there, 7 days a week, sunrise to sunset, ready to help."
While giving her time to helping those in need, Drinkard was also able to raise a family with Paul Drinkard, a World War II veteran. Her family includes her son Eddie, her grandson James, and her great granddaughter Billie, a sixth-grader at Fulton Middle School. All were present for her birthday party. "It's fun to take her shopping and go to the Busy Corner Café," said Billie about spending time with her great-grandma.
When asked how she managed to make an impact, Drinkard insists that it is important to learn the names of those you serve. "I would beforehand review a list of the names of every person in every class I would teach, it's important to know people by name, and it makes them feel important as well."
In honor of her 100th birthday, Churchill Terrace arranged for a party, including a special lunch request from Drinkard. Her request? Prime rib and whiskey sours. "My husband used to make the best prime rib and whiskey sours in the world," she said.
Surrounded by friends and family, Shirley Drinkard was able to celebrate what she calls "a very happy life." What's her secret? "Live for the moment, and do the best you can with what you have."