In Kansas, a 95-year-old great-great-grandmother named Lois White is redefining what it means to age with vitality. Known for her spirited energy, she keeps herself busy with a range of activities, from singing and dancing to playing pickleball twice a week. Her family cherishes her as a source of inspiration, showcasing a life full of joy, movement, and resilience.
Pickleball, a paddle sport similar to European padel but played on a hard court with a slower ball, has become one of White’s latest passions. Every Tuesday and Thursday, she heads to New Century Fieldhouse in Gardner, Kansas, where she competes on the court with people much younger than herself—some even in their 50s and 60s. White’s enthusiasm for the sport reflects her lifelong love for games and her commitment to staying physically active.
Beyond pickleball, White enjoys a variety of other activities that keep her mind and body sharp. She plays cards weekly, took up square dancing, and even learned to play the mandolin, joining a local group called the Pickers and Fiddlers. She’s always finding new ways to engage with life, proving that age is no barrier to exploring new hobbies and talents.
White’s life story is filled with fond memories of sports and family. Born in a time when airplanes were still a novelty, she married a soldier at 17 and became a mother of six. Together with her husband, she raised her family to love sports, even forming a family softball team with her daughters. Her boundless energy and love for her family have kept her going through the years, including the three decades since her husband passed away.
Today, White’s family often suggests she slow down, but her response is always the same: “You need to keep moving.” Surrounded by a growing family—six children, 20 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and now four great-great-grandchildren—she embodies the power of staying active and connected. Her story is a beautiful reminder that life’s richness doesn’t fade with age; if anything, it grows deeper.