CBS News Anchor Scott Pelley Celebrates Mother-In-Law's Birthday In Tulsa

Tara Vreeland, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- He's the anchor of the CBS Evening News and travels around the world for CBS and 60 Minutes. But, when Scott Pelley's mother-in-law celebrates her 90th birthday, he makes sure he's here in Tulsa.

He's reported from the White House and Ground Zero. He's interviewed presidents and dignitaries, and talked with everyday America. But the important story of the day to Scott Pelley and his family--a birthday party 90 years in the making.

"Children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, we've got the whole family. About 80 or 90 people at the party. It's just a whole lot of fun that way," Scott said.

Scott Pelley and his family flew into Tulsa for the milestone birthday of his mother in law, Ruth Boone.

"I feel just about the same. Whatever 90 feels like, I'll just keep on keeping on!" Ruth said.

"You know what's funny? People all day in Tulsa have been telling my mom, "you don't look a day over 80!" We've been laughing. And she said imagine when that would have been a compliment," said Jane Boone Pelley, Scott's Wife.

The Boone's hail from Oklahoma, and Pelley's family has roots in the Sooner State as well.

"Oklahoma is very dear to my heart. My family is from Oklahoma," Scott said.

"For us, we love our little small town in Connecticut because it reminds Scott and me of the roots that we have and the smaller towns that we grew up in," Jane said.

Pelley says it's important to him to maintain his midwest values, because those are the people tuning in to his nightly broadcasts. One midwest value, church. The Pelley's attended services before the party.

"I just looked around the sanctuary there at all those folks and I always remind myself. These are the people that you are speaking to on the evening news at 5:30. You need to remember these folks," Scott said.

Many of those folks joined the Pelley's at Saint Simeon's for the festivities. Family and friends enjoyed lunch and cake and a slideshow showcasing Ruth's 90 years.

Then it's a flight back to New York City for Pelley, where this room full of loved ones will catch him on the anchor desk of the CBS evening news.

"They've known we for a very long time. I've been married to Jane for 28 years. Back when Jane and I met at a TV station in Dallas, I was a local TV reporter making a career of it and doing that so they've been following my career for a very long time. It's kind of old hat to them that I'm on the CBS television network," Scott said.

The CBS Evening news airs right here on channel 6 at 5:30 on weekdays, you can also catch Pelley on 60 minutes.