Ourfriend was born early this century in Wake County ( now called Raleigh as it iswithin the city limits) the third of seven children born to a carpenter contractor.In her early years she attended the Pinehurst School, a two room building onStrickland Road.
Ayoung man, who was later to be her husband, lived within two miles of theschool. As his mother had died when he was twelve and his father was killed inan accident ten days later, he was reared at the Methodist Home Orphanage. Aschance would have it about this time our friend's family moved to downtownRaleigh near Peace College where she was able to finish her schooling. Theyoung man contacted her family after he had attended N. C. State University andserved in the Navy.
Theywere married in 1924 in a lovely home wedding. After renting an apartment intown for about 1 1/2 years they decided to move back out where they live now -then called the Mine Creek Community.
In1927 her husband was already working for the Post Office when their son, whowas to be an only child, was born. When the baby was fifteen months old it wasnecessary for her husband to enter a hospital at Oteen, North Carolina wherehe was to remain a patent for fifteen months. As the hospital would not permitchildren under twelve to visit the patients, this family of three did not seeeach other for the length of his stay.
Whenher husband returned home they bought a tract of land next to the house theylive in now. Her father and husband built them a five room house. Then afterfour years they bought the family home and moved in because her parents wanteda smaller home at the back of the property.
In1958 her husband retired from the Post Office. Next they decided to build theirown smaller house on the back of this large tract of land because by now herparents' home had long since been taken down. Our friend was ready to see herson and his family occupy the big house. Thus it is that the fourth generationoccupies this family home. With her five grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren the family traditions continue at the big house.
Ourfriend worked sixteen years with the Olivia Rainey Library. She has served ashead librarian of the children's department and in the library office. Some ofher most interesting experiences, However, have come about as a result of heryears touring Wake County in a book mobile. She had her coworker have had nearaccidents in the snow, received large amounts of garden produce from thankfulreaders, and watched construction and development throughout Wake County as theytravelled the area.
Inthe early seventies our friend's husband was one of the early organizers of theQuail Hollow Club. Our friend would prepare large numbers of ham biscuits thather husband brought to the meetings for themembers to enjoy. After her retirement she joined the club and wassecretary in 1973. Sewing projects, crocheting, crafts - all these were theorder of the day at the Quail Hollow club meetings in thosedays. The leader opened the building and made the coffee and....
