106-year-old Tyler resident shares memories of WWI

TYLER, TX (KLTV) - One hundred years ago on April 6, the United States entered into World War I.

One of Tyler's oldest resident was alive during that time and shared vivid memories of seeing a family member go off to war.

Earline Hart Andrews, 106, has been living in Tyler since the 1950s. She was born and raised in Marion County, Texas, just a few miles from the Louisiana border. It was there she watched her uncle leave for basic training in 1917.

“He was the one who went to Camp Lee Virginia to be in training for World War I,” Andrews said.

She said his departure came as a shock for the close-knit family.

“His dog was at our house and that dog howled all night because he missed his master.”

Andrews said her uncle sacrificed his business to serve the U.S.

“None of them were excited. They knew it was their duty and they went. But they didn’t go with jubilance,” Andrews said.

She doesn’t remember much about the conflict, but she did have her questions about parts of the world she’d never seen.

“I’d see where France was and Germany was and look at it with awe from a child’s perspective and it seemed a long, long way from home,” Andrews said.

She said she was about 9 years old when she was finally reunited with her uncle. “He came marching home and I was outside in front of the house,” Andrews said.

Andrews said her uncle was the only veteran in her family and that as the oldest living member of the family, she’s witnessed a lot of change.

“But I sure did like the old days,” Andrews said.

Andrews will celebrate her 107th birthday Oct. 28. She received a key to the City of Tyler on her 100th birthday.

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