Founders' Day Luncheon 2014
researched and presented by
Penny Stutzman and Pat Johnson
April 12, 2014
The Bemis Book Club was organized in the home of Mrs. Joe Woodson in April1930. Mrs. Edith Brock had recently moved from LaGrange, GA. where she had been a member of a similar club. Mrs. Brock, Mrs. Fred
Butler, Miss Scott, and Mrs. Woodson were the founders of this historic club. Ladies asked to join the club all had ties to the Bemis Cotton Mill, the school, or the local churches. It was a tradition of the club to invite the Methodist minister’s wife to join.
Mrs. Brock‘s husband was an accountant in the mill office. Vera Scott’s father was employed by the mill. We don’t have much information on these ladies. We know that Vera later moved to Nashville but returned to Bemis after her retirement and rejoined the book club. Her sister Yvonne joined sometime in the early days of the club. She was married to Harold West, a pharmacist and owner of West Drugs. They had 2 daughters and built a nice brick home on Bemis Lane where many book club meetings were held.
Mrs. Fred Butler’s husband was a supervisor at the cotton mill. She was a faithful member of the Bemis Methodist Church and involved in teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir. She was the mother of Brynes and Jane Ann. She was a very attractive well dressed woman who was always kind and pleasant.
She was recognized for her long term membership and being the last charter member of the Bemis Book Club at the 70th Founder’s Day Luncheon held at the Jackson Country Club in April 2000. It was just before her 100th
birthday. At this occasion Carolyn Davis presented a program on memories of Bemis with slides of old pictures. Mrs. Butler was able to give more information regarding the early days of Bemis such the old train depot and bath houses built there.
Mrs. Woodson was small in statue but big in personality. She was a very vivacious and gregarious person. She was a graduate of Union University and received a master’s degree from Columbia. She taught English at J. B. Young High School in Bemis and South Side for many years and later worked in the Central office. She loved
wearing bright colors especially purple and earned the name of the “purple flash” as she scurried down the hall at school. Her husband Joe was the business manager in the cotton mill office and helped with accounting. They both were very active in the Bemis Methodist Church. When Mrs. Hammond moved to Jackson and gave up her organist position in the late 1940’s, Mrs. Woodson learned to play the piano and organ so she could serve in that capacity at church. One summer she went to New York and took organ lessons at Columbia. They moved next door to their son in Woodbury, TN after Mr. Woodson broke his hip. Mrs. Woodson was very proud of a granddaughter who became a very talented organist as well as of her other granddaughters.
We must remember that the Bemis Book Club was formed just about 6 months after the October 24th, 1929 stock market crash on Wall Street. Money was scarce. Banks were unregulated and underinsured. About 9000 banks failed in the years between 1930 and 1939. Investments were lost and times were hard for many people. The average income had dropped 40%. The great dust storms of the plains states had driven many people from their farms to California for a better life. There were no programs for the unemployed, disabled, or elderly. People did what they could to survive and have a better life. People listened to the radio, played parlor games, board games or went to the movies for entertainment to escape from their worries. Gas was 10 cents a gallon and new cars could be bought for about $640 but not many had that much money. Public education also suffered because parents couldn’t afford to buy clothes, shoes, and school supplies. Teacher’s salaries were cut or eliminated. Unemployment was from 24 to 33% during those difficult years. People in Bemis were happy to have a job even though they didn’t make much money but they did havenice homes and facilities for worship and entertainment, medical facilities, and a post office within walking distance.
According to a 1937 yearbook that Anna unearthed, the Bemis Book Club started with 21 members and met the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 3 pm except during the summer. Each member was expected to pay 10 cents for each meeting. A fine of 5 cents was to be imposed on any member who failed to bring her book to the meetings. Also each member would pay 2 dollars and fifty cents for the purpose of buying a book. The ladies wore their best clothes with hats and gloves to the meetings. They called each other by their surnames instead of given names. According to this yearbook they had two topics that were reported on at each meeting. The topic for the year seemed to be Literature. A hostess was appointed for each meeting. Refreshments were not mentioned but I expect with our Southern hospitality they were served. Pat Johnson and I knew a few of the members listed in this yearbook.
One of the members at this time was Mrs. F. H. Neville whose husband was the principal of the Bemis School until Alton Copeland became the principal of Bemis high school in 1940 and his wife Mary began teaching
second grade. She probably became a member of the book club then. After Mr. Copeland’s untimely death, she rekindled her acquaintance with Marvin (Nip) McKnight and they married.
Mrs. A. M. Edwards was a member and her husband worked in the office of the cotton mill as an accountant. They were members of the Bemis Methodist Church and he was the treasurer for some time there.
Mrs. Harry Hudson was a book club member. Mr. Hudson was a referee at many basketball games.
Mrs. Henry Herron was the wife of Dr. Herron who practiced medicine for many years in Bemis before he specialized in obstetrics and they moved to Jackson. Dr. Bruce Herron is their son.
Mrs. F. H. Hammond’s husband was general manager of the mill. They were active members of the Bemis Methodist Church.
Mrs. L. J. Denning’s husband was also employed Bemis YMCA. Their daughter Nell sold many ticket to the Bemis Theater.
Mrs. Kirby (Lucille) McKnight moved to Bemis from middle Tennessee with her husband when he was hired by the cotton mill to teach basic carpentry, plumbing, and general maintenance skills to the employees. He later taught Industrial Arts in the Bemis high school with his salary paid by the Bemis Company until the school system hired him to continue teaching there. These were my parents. I know a lot about them. My mother was about 30 when the book club was started and was so happy when asked to become a member. At that time she was a stay at home mom but resumed her teaching career when I started school in 1939. She
taught at Medon, Pinson, and eighth grade at Bemis for many years. The highlight of her month was attending the book club meetings. Like many teachers then, she took her best clothes to school with her and changed right after school to go to the book club meetings. They were active members of the Bemis Methodist Church teaching Sunday school, serving on committees, and my dad was the unpaid maintenance man whenever needed. Mother was a member of the book club until about 1974 when her health started deteriorating.
Mrs. Hallum Vernon’s husband also was employed in the cotton mill. She worked in the upper level of the Bemis Company store where the pneumatic tubes were sent to receive payment and make change. They were very active members of the Bemis Methodist Church where he led the singing.
Mrs. H. D. Hammond was a nurse and had an office in the Bemis Cotton Mill. She assisted with the deliveries of many babies and the follow up visits to the home as well as other duties.
Doris Townsend moved from Troy, AL in 1950 with her husband, John, a recent graduate from Auburn University and hired as a textile engineer at the cotton mill. John later held positions as plant manager and vice-president until the mill closed and then worked for the new owner an additional 3 years. Doris joined the book club shortly after moving to Bemis. She raised her family in Bemis and entertained us many times there in her
home and more recently in her lovely home in Jackson. She is probably the current member who has been the club in the longest.
Mildred Littrell has also been a faithful member for a long time. She has entertained us many times in her lovely home on Rebel Road in South Jackson.
Mrs. James Gaugh’s husband was employed in the Bemis mill office. They were members of the Bemis Methodist Church. She had a wonderful sense of humor and hearty laugh. She later worked in the Bemis post office.
Mrs. James Walker and Mrs. Jack Brown joined the book club about the same time. They and their husbands were all educators. Mrs. Walker served as librarian at North Side. Mrs. Brown was librarian at Malesus. We have Jean Brown to thank for preserving much of the history we have of the Bemis Book Club. She always told us if anything happened to her, the materials would be under her bed. She was usually the first to get to a meeting and we miss her warmth and bright smile.
We owe a tremendous debt to Anna Clifford who took all the memorabilia and spent countless hours arranging it in beautiful crafted scrapbooks that will be treasured for years to come. She has made countless pictures at our meetings and incorporated them on a timeline. Anna, you have volunteered so much of your time, talent, and resources to this club and we can’t thank you enough. Anna proposed in 2005 that we adopt the red carnation as our flower. Today please take one home with you as a memento of this gathering.
A few things have changed since 1930. We no longer dress or speak as formally. We don’t wear hats and gloves. Our programs are more varied and meetings are more relaxed. The book prices have gone up as well as memorial gifts. Instead of exchanging gifts at Christmas we now bring children’s books to donate to the Pediatric Unit of the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and donate money to Youth Town. At our Founder’s Day luncheon, we now donate money to the Imagination Library Madison County.
We have had meetings in many places: the Old Depot Museum; in churches; in historic homes; in dining facilities, but none more appreciated than our members’ homes. From 2007 to 2012 Anita Roark invited
us to have our founder’s luncheon at her century old home on Duncan Lane and was a most gracious hostess.
Our programs have covered many subjects not just book reviews. Once Mrs. Willie Myrtle Stanfield was the model for a program on learning what colors you should wear and whether you were a Spring, Summer, Winter, or Autumn. We have had authors tell about books they have written. Many members have talked about trips they have taken some of which were mission trips and shown slides or stories of local sites or
events. Brenda Tedford and Kenneth Newman have given us so many interesting programs on varied subjects and kept us enthralled either laughing or crying. Many of our secretaries for instance Anna Clifford and Marie
Williams have entertained us with their colorful recording of minutes. The very talented Barbara Mayo has entertained us with piano selections. She has been a member since about 1964.
Oh the lovely refreshments served! Don’t get me started on the calorie loaded sumptuous desserts and other delicious treats. Some were even served on the finest china with white linen napkins. Who can forget Montez Taylor’s luscious coconut cake? Kaye Patrick has decorated her refreshments with holiday themes and extra treats. We have dined with the best and were graciously welcomed into many homes.
We have had and still have so many interesting, talented, and caring women in the book club it is impossible to tell about them all. What a pleasure it is to meet and see old friends and make new friends. We have shared joys and sorrows. We remember friends who are no longer present but live in our hearts. Lives have been touched and memories made that have not only enriched our lives but those of the communities where we live.
With a grateful heart, I thank each of you for your commitment and contributions to the Bemis Book Club.
Long may it live!
Penny
researched and presented by
Penny Stutzman and Pat Johnson
April 12, 2014
The Bemis Book Club was organized in the home of Mrs. Joe Woodson in April1930. Mrs. Edith Brock had recently moved from LaGrange, GA. where she had been a member of a similar club. Mrs. Brock, Mrs. Fred
Butler, Miss Scott, and Mrs. Woodson were the founders of this historic club. Ladies asked to join the club all had ties to the Bemis Cotton Mill, the school, or the local churches. It was a tradition of the club to invite the Methodist minister’s wife to join.
Mrs. Brock‘s husband was an accountant in the mill office. Vera Scott’s father was employed by the mill. We don’t have much information on these ladies. We know that Vera later moved to Nashville but returned to Bemis after her retirement and rejoined the book club. Her sister Yvonne joined sometime in the early days of the club. She was married to Harold West, a pharmacist and owner of West Drugs. They had 2 daughters and built a nice brick home on Bemis Lane where many book club meetings were held.
Mrs. Fred Butler’s husband was a supervisor at the cotton mill. She was a faithful member of the Bemis Methodist Church and involved in teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir. She was the mother of Brynes and Jane Ann. She was a very attractive well dressed woman who was always kind and pleasant.
She was recognized for her long term membership and being the last charter member of the Bemis Book Club at the 70th Founder’s Day Luncheon held at the Jackson Country Club in April 2000. It was just before her 100th
birthday. At this occasion Carolyn Davis presented a program on memories of Bemis with slides of old pictures. Mrs. Butler was able to give more information regarding the early days of Bemis such the old train depot and bath houses built there.
Mrs. Woodson was small in statue but big in personality. She was a very vivacious and gregarious person. She was a graduate of Union University and received a master’s degree from Columbia. She taught English at J. B. Young High School in Bemis and South Side for many years and later worked in the Central office. She loved
wearing bright colors especially purple and earned the name of the “purple flash” as she scurried down the hall at school. Her husband Joe was the business manager in the cotton mill office and helped with accounting. They both were very active in the Bemis Methodist Church. When Mrs. Hammond moved to Jackson and gave up her organist position in the late 1940’s, Mrs. Woodson learned to play the piano and organ so she could serve in that capacity at church. One summer she went to New York and took organ lessons at Columbia. They moved next door to their son in Woodbury, TN after Mr. Woodson broke his hip. Mrs. Woodson was very proud of a granddaughter who became a very talented organist as well as of her other granddaughters.
We must remember that the Bemis Book Club was formed just about 6 months after the October 24th, 1929 stock market crash on Wall Street. Money was scarce. Banks were unregulated and underinsured. About 9000 banks failed in the years between 1930 and 1939. Investments were lost and times were hard for many people. The average income had dropped 40%. The great dust storms of the plains states had driven many people from their farms to California for a better life. There were no programs for the unemployed, disabled, or elderly. People did what they could to survive and have a better life. People listened to the radio, played parlor games, board games or went to the movies for entertainment to escape from their worries. Gas was 10 cents a gallon and new cars could be bought for about $640 but not many had that much money. Public education also suffered because parents couldn’t afford to buy clothes, shoes, and school supplies. Teacher’s salaries were cut or eliminated. Unemployment was from 24 to 33% during those difficult years. People in Bemis were happy to have a job even though they didn’t make much money but they did havenice homes and facilities for worship and entertainment, medical facilities, and a post office within walking distance.
According to a 1937 yearbook that Anna unearthed, the Bemis Book Club started with 21 members and met the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 3 pm except during the summer. Each member was expected to pay 10 cents for each meeting. A fine of 5 cents was to be imposed on any member who failed to bring her book to the meetings. Also each member would pay 2 dollars and fifty cents for the purpose of buying a book. The ladies wore their best clothes with hats and gloves to the meetings. They called each other by their surnames instead of given names. According to this yearbook they had two topics that were reported on at each meeting. The topic for the year seemed to be Literature. A hostess was appointed for each meeting. Refreshments were not mentioned but I expect with our Southern hospitality they were served. Pat Johnson and I knew a few of the members listed in this yearbook.
One of the members at this time was Mrs. F. H. Neville whose husband was the principal of the Bemis School until Alton Copeland became the principal of Bemis high school in 1940 and his wife Mary began teaching
second grade. She probably became a member of the book club then. After Mr. Copeland’s untimely death, she rekindled her acquaintance with Marvin (Nip) McKnight and they married.
Mrs. A. M. Edwards was a member and her husband worked in the office of the cotton mill as an accountant. They were members of the Bemis Methodist Church and he was the treasurer for some time there.
Mrs. Harry Hudson was a book club member. Mr. Hudson was a referee at many basketball games.
Mrs. Henry Herron was the wife of Dr. Herron who practiced medicine for many years in Bemis before he specialized in obstetrics and they moved to Jackson. Dr. Bruce Herron is their son.
Mrs. F. H. Hammond’s husband was general manager of the mill. They were active members of the Bemis Methodist Church.
Mrs. L. J. Denning’s husband was also employed Bemis YMCA. Their daughter Nell sold many ticket to the Bemis Theater.
Mrs. Kirby (Lucille) McKnight moved to Bemis from middle Tennessee with her husband when he was hired by the cotton mill to teach basic carpentry, plumbing, and general maintenance skills to the employees. He later taught Industrial Arts in the Bemis high school with his salary paid by the Bemis Company until the school system hired him to continue teaching there. These were my parents. I know a lot about them. My mother was about 30 when the book club was started and was so happy when asked to become a member. At that time she was a stay at home mom but resumed her teaching career when I started school in 1939. She
taught at Medon, Pinson, and eighth grade at Bemis for many years. The highlight of her month was attending the book club meetings. Like many teachers then, she took her best clothes to school with her and changed right after school to go to the book club meetings. They were active members of the Bemis Methodist Church teaching Sunday school, serving on committees, and my dad was the unpaid maintenance man whenever needed. Mother was a member of the book club until about 1974 when her health started deteriorating.
Mrs. Hallum Vernon’s husband also was employed in the cotton mill. She worked in the upper level of the Bemis Company store where the pneumatic tubes were sent to receive payment and make change. They were very active members of the Bemis Methodist Church where he led the singing.
Mrs. H. D. Hammond was a nurse and had an office in the Bemis Cotton Mill. She assisted with the deliveries of many babies and the follow up visits to the home as well as other duties.
Doris Townsend moved from Troy, AL in 1950 with her husband, John, a recent graduate from Auburn University and hired as a textile engineer at the cotton mill. John later held positions as plant manager and vice-president until the mill closed and then worked for the new owner an additional 3 years. Doris joined the book club shortly after moving to Bemis. She raised her family in Bemis and entertained us many times there in her
home and more recently in her lovely home in Jackson. She is probably the current member who has been the club in the longest.
Mildred Littrell has also been a faithful member for a long time. She has entertained us many times in her lovely home on Rebel Road in South Jackson.
Mrs. James Gaugh’s husband was employed in the Bemis mill office. They were members of the Bemis Methodist Church. She had a wonderful sense of humor and hearty laugh. She later worked in the Bemis post office.
Mrs. James Walker and Mrs. Jack Brown joined the book club about the same time. They and their husbands were all educators. Mrs. Walker served as librarian at North Side. Mrs. Brown was librarian at Malesus. We have Jean Brown to thank for preserving much of the history we have of the Bemis Book Club. She always told us if anything happened to her, the materials would be under her bed. She was usually the first to get to a meeting and we miss her warmth and bright smile.
We owe a tremendous debt to Anna Clifford who took all the memorabilia and spent countless hours arranging it in beautiful crafted scrapbooks that will be treasured for years to come. She has made countless pictures at our meetings and incorporated them on a timeline. Anna, you have volunteered so much of your time, talent, and resources to this club and we can’t thank you enough. Anna proposed in 2005 that we adopt the red carnation as our flower. Today please take one home with you as a memento of this gathering.
A few things have changed since 1930. We no longer dress or speak as formally. We don’t wear hats and gloves. Our programs are more varied and meetings are more relaxed. The book prices have gone up as well as memorial gifts. Instead of exchanging gifts at Christmas we now bring children’s books to donate to the Pediatric Unit of the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and donate money to Youth Town. At our Founder’s Day luncheon, we now donate money to the Imagination Library Madison County.
We have had meetings in many places: the Old Depot Museum; in churches; in historic homes; in dining facilities, but none more appreciated than our members’ homes. From 2007 to 2012 Anita Roark invited
us to have our founder’s luncheon at her century old home on Duncan Lane and was a most gracious hostess.
Our programs have covered many subjects not just book reviews. Once Mrs. Willie Myrtle Stanfield was the model for a program on learning what colors you should wear and whether you were a Spring, Summer, Winter, or Autumn. We have had authors tell about books they have written. Many members have talked about trips they have taken some of which were mission trips and shown slides or stories of local sites or
events. Brenda Tedford and Kenneth Newman have given us so many interesting programs on varied subjects and kept us enthralled either laughing or crying. Many of our secretaries for instance Anna Clifford and Marie
Williams have entertained us with their colorful recording of minutes. The very talented Barbara Mayo has entertained us with piano selections. She has been a member since about 1964.
Oh the lovely refreshments served! Don’t get me started on the calorie loaded sumptuous desserts and other delicious treats. Some were even served on the finest china with white linen napkins. Who can forget Montez Taylor’s luscious coconut cake? Kaye Patrick has decorated her refreshments with holiday themes and extra treats. We have dined with the best and were graciously welcomed into many homes.
We have had and still have so many interesting, talented, and caring women in the book club it is impossible to tell about them all. What a pleasure it is to meet and see old friends and make new friends. We have shared joys and sorrows. We remember friends who are no longer present but live in our hearts. Lives have been touched and memories made that have not only enriched our lives but those of the communities where we live.
With a grateful heart, I thank each of you for your commitment and contributions to the Bemis Book Club.
Long may it live!
Penny