This is the second of a two-part series about Olive Tatham Ellis.’
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In part one of the Olive Ellis story, we noted that she was the perfect example of the “Southern lady.” She was born to John Tatham and Stella Dunlap Tatham, April 1, 1904, on the Qualla Boundary of Oconaluftee Indian Village.
Olive’s mother died when she was about 12 years old, and she was the oldest of three girls; her sister’s names were Leuna and Mary. She assumed the responsibility of the lady of the house at an early age.
The family moved to Andrews, and she never left her beloved mountains. She married Luther Martin Ellis in 1922, and they had one son, John Luther Ellis, who was born Jan. 9, 1926.
Elaine Coker was Olive’s granddaughter, and she recalls many memories in her grandmother’s house where everyone was welcome.
“Christmas was always such fun there, and her big tree was in the front windows and those on the side facing the driveway so you could see it from both directions. She loved to make homemade ornaments, and I still have several beaded ones that we made together,” Elaine said.
“I remember one of the things that I liked best at Christmas was making candied grapefruit and orange peels that were boiled and rolled in sugar.”
“I remember her yard was always maintained perfectly and the “Sursavage” boys cut her grass every summer. It seemed the entire town helped take care of her garden. She always said that whoever helped tend it was welcome to pick from it, and there was always plenty to go around. We had tomatoes and cucumbers at every meal all summer long.”
Elaine said, “Grandmother’s two best friends were Fannie Pullium and Mildred Ray. They were almost as much a part of our growing up as she was.
“After we moved to Raleigh, my brother Rick and I used to spend the summer up there, and something was always going on, a club meeting of some sort, or the lady’s card game, or doing crafts.”
Luther (Luke) Ellis and Olive owned and operated the cleaners in town for a long time, and Olive used to walk down the street to her home and cooked a hot lunch for the workers, which was better than a bonus.
“My Grandmother worked at Nichols Department Store on Saturday for many years, and I came to know many of the ladies who worked there, Ruth Roper, Kate Hogsed and Lucille Bell,” Elaine said.
Olive was a lady of many talents. She was a seamstress and made many of Elaine’s clothes on a treadle sewing machine.
“She made beautiful quilts with scrap material she had left over. I was given a quilt when I got married that is one of my most treasured possessions. I have several pieces of jewelry she made and pictures that she painted that have a treasured place in my home,” Elaine said.
“I remember she learned to do copper enameling, even owned a kiln that she shared with her crafting friends. She also had a loom and wove blankets and wall hangings.
“She never learned to drive and she never wore a pair of pants, even while working in the garden. She got up every morning and dressed in her dresses and combed her hair because she said ‘you never know who might stop by’, ” Elaine said.
After her husband died, Olive took in boarders to make extra money and Elaine said she met many interesting people from all walks of life whom she made feel welcome in her home. Many of those people remained friends for years after they left Andrews.
Elaine said, “As she got into her late 80s and early 90s, I can remember her saying that the worst part of getting old was the loneliness. By this time, many of her friends had passed away or moved to be closer to family, and what had always been a beehive of activity became very quiet.
“She kept her faith and knew that God would take care of her needs. She was a remarkable woman, and I hope that I have instilled in my children the values that she instilled in me.”
Kandy Barnard is a columnist for the Cherokee Scout. To talk about the Andrews Valley, call her at 361-3268 or email kandybarnard@gmail.com.