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Wally White, Eden native, actor, screenwriter and singer, has added author to his resume. His first book, “Christmas Travelers,” is out in time for the holidays.

Wally grew up in Eden, the son of Gray and Judy White and brother of Kenneth White. He plans to return home from Los Angeles for Christmas and will discuss and read from his book while he’s here.

Being at home in Eden for Christmas is his greatest joy, Wally says. His father passed away some time ago, so Wally will be with his mom and Ken’s family — wife, Amy, and their sons, Hanson and Larson. Judy and Ken continue running the family business, A Cleaner World on N.C. 14. White has other family and a town full of friends when he comes home.

In the past, he has been generous with his singing talents, often performing at churches during his visits. In order to have more time for writing and acting,

White recently left a nearly 10-year stint as a member of a church choir in Los Angeles. Della Reese, the actress and singer, is White’s minister at Understanding Principles for Better Living church. He became a member shortly after moving to California.

“I am blessed to have Della Reese write the forward to my book,” he said. “Over the years, Rev. D — that’s what I call her — and I have become friends, and it is through her that I learned about CreateSpace, the company I used to publish 'Christmas Travelers.’ ”

White is a graduate of Morehead High School in Eden. He also graduated from Appalachian State University with a major in theater and a minor in broadcasting.

“My first job out of college was touring the country (mostly Las Vegas) with Debbie Reynolds selling autographed souvenirs. He recounts his career in “firsts.” His first paid TV job was as a temp in the production office of “As the World Turns.” His first speaking role was as a chauffeur on “Guiding Light.” His first writing job was creating synopses of what had happened on “Guiding Light.”

As an actor, White describes his work as “a regular” in the background of a scene, or an “extra” in the acting world. Background work provides him with enough money to buy food and pay the rent as well as time to pursue other interests like writing.

White has been a regular extra on “The Mentalist” and an orderly in hospital scenes of “Private Practice.”

White said his book is about six strangers who meet on a flight from Phoenix to New York.

“They’re all headed in the same direction for different reasons, but before Christmas Eve turns to Christmas Day, they will have an experience that will define what Christmas means to them for the rest of their lives,” he said.

When White gets home for Christmas, he wants to go on all-day shopping trips. And he wants to enjoy all that Southern cooking he loves.

An Eden native, Rachel Wright is retired as a teacher at Morehead High School and an instructor at Rockingham Community College.