I Remember...
on with my father Garry This is my grandmother Belvia Richards my son Joseph Spurlin. Richardson, me (Shelly Spurlin), and
Chocolate gravy at Thanksgiving breakfast My grandparents, Belvia and Jones Richardson, lived in Ashe County. My dad grew up there. Eventually my grandparents and their six kids made it to a house in Newton, where a family tradition began for me. Every time I visited my grandma Bell for breakfast, she made me homemade biscuits and chocolate gravy. I was always told chocolate gravy—just like white gravy but with cocoa in it—was a mountain thing. On the morning of Thanksgiving, all the kids and grandkids would meet at the homeplace in Newton. We all helped with breakfast: bacon, eggs, homemade biscuits, ham, white gravy, and always a huge pan of chocolate gravy. The tradition stopped when my grandfather passed away. My grandmother is now in assisted living. But when I look at my Grandma Bell’s loving eyes, I remember her teaching me to make chocolate gravy on Thanksgiving morning.
When the lights came on in Stedman When South River Rural Electric brought electricity to the rural area of eastern Cumberland County in 1941, my grandparents were among the first in the Bethany area to have the electric wires extended to the house where they lived with my younger aunts. I can still remember how excited we were when all the work had been completed, the light bulbs had been put into place, and lights in all the rooms were turned on. The bare light bulbs were hanging on a rod from the high ceiling of every room with a string to pull on or off. We cheered and jumped around on the dirt road, now named Magnolia Church Rd., across the field from my grandparents’ house. Even the adults were excited. We had been to town and to places where there were electric lights, but it was hard for us children to comprehend it at our granddaddy’s house. Several years later, the high ceilings were lowered and modern light fixtures were installed with switches replacing the pull cords and wall outlets for radios and irons. You can always tell if someone grew up in the 1930s and 1940s. They still turn off the lights when they leave the room. Peggy Harris, Stedman, South River EMC
The only one surviving is my sister.
Shelly Richardson Spurlin, Catawba, EnergyUnited
In the picture
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This photo was probably taken in the late 1940s or early 1950s before my younger brother and I came into the picture. It was one of the trips my family would take in the fall to the mountains. They would go just for the day to sightsee and enjoy themselves. They would take a picnic lunch, because back then there were not a lot of places to stop and eat, and it was more fun to stop along the mountainside to enjoy lunch. I think my oldest brother took the photo, or my mother. Neither of them is in the picture. The only one surviving is my sister. There are only three of us left now: my sister, younger brother and me. It brings home the lesson that we should cherish our families while we have them, because one day they will be out of the picture. Shirley Meeks, Asheboro, Randolph EMC
34 NOVEMBER 2010 Carolina Country